After an eight-year absence, the French edition of Potato Europe took place in Villers-Saint-Christophe on Wednesday and Thursday. For an outdoor fair, weather conditions largely determine its success - everyone in the potato sector will remember the 2017 rain edition in Emmeloord - but this day it remained dry and the sun even showed itself regularly.
The fair was spacious, with exhibitors lined up in a large square of over 2.5 kilometres. Grubbing demonstrations took place in the middle of the grounds. It was therefore quite a trip for the crowds of visitors to cover the entire route. For the exhibitors, they could be sure that every visitor would pass by, but often not for a second time, so they had to grab the bull by the horns.
This edition of the Pototo Europe also enjoyed many international visitors. The French were largely represented, but people from all continents were present. Even though the fair was spacious, the field remained quite crowded. The Dutch exhibitors were also well represented, especially the potato breeders, but machine suppliers and chip factories were also present.
Traders attended the fair mainly as visitors. Exhibitors and visitors showed enthusiasm for the event. Next year, the Dutch will not have to travel as far, as the fair - which rotates annually between France, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium - will take place in Lelystad on 3 and 4 September.