In recent years, we have invested a great deal to upgrade our by-products for human consumption. Whereas in 2019, 3% of our by-product streams were re-purposed for human consumption, by 2023 this will already be 12%. Our flake lines give snippets and small fries that are cut too small a chance to still be used for chips, binder for pasta or bread enhancer.
The benefits of this are twofold. First, we reduce the flow going out to animal feed. Especially since the number of production animals in Belgium is decreasing. Second, with our flakes we ensure that other potato processors that use whole potatoes for flakes can use their potatoes differently and optimally.
But even chains below human consumption can be beneficial, either to reduce the need for other sources of food, or as an energy source itself. For example, our raw scraps and steam peels, which we sell to compound feed producers, reduce the need for fodder beets or corn for cattle feed.
Even though flow to animal feed is reduced, we still fully support this initiative as it can be categorized as desirable valorization. Why? First and foremost, because the alternative for farmers is to import foods such as soy from abroad, which causes higher logistical emissions. Our reduced flow should be seen as the outcome of better valorization for human consumption. In addition, it is a general trend that fewer livestock are being raised, while there are more potato processors. So supply and demand may become distorted in the future, which is why it’s important to find alternative valorization flows. Check out our video where we cooperate with pig farm Brasvar to provide them quality animal feed.
