Introduction

As well as being grown for immediate consumption, potatoes are increasingly being used as a raw material by the processing industry. The grower should take into account the fact that customers are very particular about quality. The processing industry sets strict requirements because they have to produce a high-quality product on a costeffective basis. Therefore, the processing industry sets strict criteria for tuber length, colour, fat content and dry matter content so that the French fries, crisps, granules and flakes meet well-defined standards. Potatoes serving as raw material for the processing industry must meet a number of requirements regarding the following quality characteristics:

• Size and shape of tubers
• Injuries and defects
• Dry matter content
• Colour

The quality is influenced by various external factors such as climate, type of soil, variety, crop management, harvesting and storage. The grower is able to positively influence these matters in order to guarantee the continuous supply of well matured, high-quality raw material to the processing industry.