Belgium urges residents to eat more chips as virus causes massive potato surplus

Belgium's potato industry has recently called upon citizens to increase their intake of chips to at least twice a week in order to prevent food waste in the country.

Some 750,000 tons of potatoes are reportedly at risk of being thrown away due to the country's Covid-19 government-enforced lockdown.

According to Romain Cools, Secretary General of Belgapom, the issue largely comes down to a fall in demand for frozen potato products. The frozen potato sector reportedly accounts for 75% of Belgium's potato processing and as stocks require less refreshing, sales drop.

However, Cools believes citizens can help "avoid food waste" by purchasing and consuming more frozen fries. He hopes to form partnerships with supermarkets in the country because "every lost potato is a loss".

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