France is one of the world’s largest potato-growing countries. The current annual potato production is 160,000 tons, which is expected to reach 200,000 tons within five years. Small scale frozen french fries production line is popular equipment for individuals to start a business since most people there like to eat French fries. Bernard Quere, general manager of the French Potato Planting Federation, accepted an exclusive interview with World Potato Market magazine and told reporters about the development plan and market strategy of potato industry in the next few years.
記者：今後数年間のフランスのジャガイモ産業の計画はどうなっていますか？
BQ：短期的には、ジャガイモの植付量を増やし、5〜6年以内に年間平均生産量20万トンの目標を達成します。フレンチポテト植付プログラムには、肥沃な土壌と高品質な植物検疫の厳格な管理に基づいて実施されることを重視します。フランスのジャガイモ生産者は、害虫や病気のリスクを避けるために、輪作のための十分な土地を確保しなければなりません。また、有害な生物の検疫も必要です。この点で、オランダ企業と協力してパートナーシップを強化します。世界的にジャガイモ栽培において強力な国であるオランダは、フランスの生産者に依存してヨーロッパへの輸出を拡大できます。
記者：ヨーロッパのジャガイモ栽培市場をどのように扱いますか？
BQ: Since the starch and french fries market are relatively standardized, mid-term forecasts can be made. However, since the French government announced the implementation of the Safe Potato Planting Program two years ago, there have been many uncertainties in the French fresh potato market. The plan allows farmers to select the appropriate varieties to grow, but most of the potato planting made by farmers are not certified and officially supervised. Since these potatoes were sold at traditional commodity sales outlets, people worried that it will have an impact on their fresh potato market and the French fries made by small scale frozen french fries production line.
記者：次の生産シーズンに対する期待は何ですか？
BQ: I hope to face a better production season, and it is definitely better than this year. The unit yield of French potato planting is decreasing, and there are some quality problems that will affect the sales of potatoes in some markets. We will keep an eye on the above impact, and encourage potato processing enterprises to strictly control the quality of the French fries processing line to produce high-quality french fries to meet the needs of the public.
