Belgium's potato prices collapse to zero amid global oversupply crisis

Belgium, the world's largest exporter of frozen potatoes and fries, faces an unprecedented agricultural crisis as industrial potato prices have dropped to zero due to massive harvests and intense international competition. Farmers cannot sell their surplus crops profitably, forcing many to leave potatoes unharvested or destroyed despite adequate quality. This economic collapse threatens rural livelihoods across Europe's agricultural heartland and signals broader food supply chain vulnerabilities. The crisis raises questions about market stabilization mechanisms and EU agricultural policy effectiveness in protecting farmers from global price shocks.