Belgian potato growers warn of French fries crisis due to drought and heat

French fries are a central part of Belgian cuisine, and a matter of national pride. But they are made from potatoes that are at least 8-10 centimeters long, and that size is conspicuous by its absence in many cases this year.

- We have had far too little rain and also far too high temperatures. So it has been a double problem, says Mathieu Vrancken who, in addition to running his own farm, is also chairman of Belpotato, the potato growers' trade association.

He turns a potato plant out of the dry soil and notes that it doesn't look any better.

- There are maybe two potatoes here that are big enough to make French fries out of, he says.

Risk of price increase

Nor is it the first challenging year for potato growers. Two years ago it rained way too much, last year brought an overproduction that dumped prices and this year it's too dry and too hot.

- The abnormal has become normal, and the normal abnormal. We don't have normal years anymore like we used to. When it comes to climate change, we farmers notice it first, he says.

European problem