Belgium's potato industry faces a historic glut that's turning its signature export into waste. Kris D'haeyyer watched his entire harvest rot after prices collapsed to zero euros per metric ton, forcing him to dump 1,000 tons back onto his fields. The world's largest frozen fry exporter now struggles with a five million metric ton surplus across Europe.

Multiple forces converged to create this crisis. Perfect growing conditions produced the biggest European harvest in eight years, just as Trump administration tariffs made European fries uncompetitive in the US market. Simultaneously, Asian producers from China and India doubled their frozen fry exports last year, undercutting traditional suppliers. The Iran conflict further strained margins through higher energy and fertilizer costs.

The financial toll is severe. Belgian potato exports reached €3.3 billion in 2025, but shipments to the US fell 8% while Saudi Arabia sales dropped 11%. Rising inflation keeps Europeans eating at home rather than restaurants where most fries are consumed. Meanwhile, GLP-1 weight-loss drugs reduce cravings for fried foods.

European farmers also face regulatory disadvantages, as competitors in countries with looser agricultural chemical rules undercut their costs. D'haeyyer's €160,000 loss reflects an industry in retreat, with global demand growth slowing to 2.5% annually from previous 5% rates.