China's frozen fries’ sector is becoming a regional force in 2026: what it means for EU exporters

China’s frozen French fry sector is becoming more relevant in regional trade as domestic processing capacity expands, and quick-service restaurant demand continues to grow. China’s increasing presence is already being felt by Europe's major frozen fry producers, whose sales in Southeast Asia are coming under pressure. Partly as a result of this, EU exports fell by 12-18% in Jan-May 2026 compared to 2025, according to the Comext data. While the EU remains the dominant global supplier of frozen potato products, China’s growing production base and Asian export focus are increasing competition in nearby markets where freight cost, delivery time and price sensitivity matter.