Potato News

UK’s Guardian newspaper switches from plastic to biodegradable potato starch wrapping

UK national newspaper The Guardian has scrapped its polythene packaging in favour of a compostable wrapping made from potato starch, in a bid to reduce its plastic waste. The publication’s weekend print edition comes with a variety of supplements that have, up until now, been contained in a polythene wrapping to ensure they reach their audience intact.
1/23/2019

New NPPGA President discusses challenges facing the potato industry

New Northern Plains Potato Growers Association (NPPGA) President Donavon Johnson sat down with Red River Farm Network’s Carah Hart to discuss some of the challenges in the potato industry. The conversation took place at the Potato Expo in Austin earlier this month.
1/22/2019

US: 2018 State Certified Seed Potato Reports

This is an extensive report on the 2018 seed potato situation in the US. Read reports from seed potato specialists in all seed potato producing states. The report appears in the January 2018 issue of Potato Grower. You can also view the report on this page of Potato Grower magazine’s website.
1/22/2019

Crunch time for crisp makers as EU waste targets loom

The European Commission has set an EU-wide objective for all packaging to be recyclable or reusable by 2030. But crisp packets are a particular headache for policymakers and the recycling industry because they are so tiny and lightweight. Walkers, Britain’s largest crisp manufacturer, announced in October it was launching a scheme to recycle the 7,000 non-recyclable crisp packets it produces every minute.
1/21/2019

Potato scientists unravel genetics of tuber skin and flesh colour

Potato tuber skin and flesh colours are attractive traits for consumers and frequently influence purchase choices. In a new study, scientists of the James Hutton Institute have identified a genetic molecule that regulates the production of anthocyanin, a natural pigment which in turn influences tuber skin and flesh colour.
1/21/2019

Canada’s Little Potato Company CEO shares mission, story, recipes

Angela Santiago co-founded The Little Potato Company Ltd. 21 years ago with her father, who missed the delicious little “Creamer” potatoes of his childhood in the Netherlands. Creamer potatoes are bred to be small but packed full of nutrition and big buttery flavor, offering convenience and versatility for today’s busy, sophisticated food lovers.
1/21/2019

British potato supply chain moves to protect stocks

Great Britain’s grower-held potato stocks at the end of November 2018 stood at 2.97 million tonnes – the lowest during this point in the season since 2016/17. Releasing its latest batch of industry statistics, the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board estimated that ‘drawdown’, the rate at which potatoes are removed from store, is lower than recent years at 39%, three percentage points below the five-year average.
1/21/2019

Potatoes have a form of ‘depression’

Scientists are trying to revolutionise potatoes and, in the process, cure the tubers’ depression, the result of generations of inbreeding. Potato depression is obviously nothing like human depression, of course. Potatoes reproduce through cloning, so their genome is laden with mutations. Those mutations could result in things such as stunted growth or shorter lifespans.
1/16/2019

New Zealand potato scab expert to visit African country to give advice

An international expert on powdery scab will visit the Republic of South Africa at the southern tip of the African continent from 12 – 22 February this year to consult with the handful of commercial potato farmers in that country. Professor Falloon is a principal scientist at the Plant and Food Research Institute in New Zealand and he is also Adjunct Professor of Plant Pathology at the Bio-Protection Research Centre at Lincoln University in New Zealand.
1/16/2019

Next issue of the Global Potato News magazine to be published

Dear folks: The first issue of the new print magazine Global Potato News was published in November 2018 with great success, and we are now preparing to publish the second issue of the magazine in early February. I am the Editor-in-Chief of the magazine, and if you, your company or your organization might wish to contribute content to be published in the magazine, please feel free to get in touch with me asap?
1/14/2019

University in India to train farmers in potato processing

Giving impetus to its efforts towards helping potato farmers dealing with the current financial crunch in the potato industry, the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) is organising a training programme on potato processing techniques from January 29 to 31 this year. This is to teach farmers how to develop several value-added products from potatoes.
1/14/2019

Interviews with potato industry specialists at Potato Expo 2019

Bob Larson, reporter, AgInfo, hosts interviews at the #PotatoExpo2019 this past week (Jan 9 – 10) in Austin, Texas with Mark De Beaufort of the organization “Imagine A World Without Potatoes“. Also Dustin Gargas and Aaron Shultz with Ceres Imaging. Go here to watch the video with De Beaufort. More videos and photos from Potato Expo 2019 can be found on Facebook – go here to access it.
1/13/2019

UK: Three years of potato research at Elveden Estate aims to spark a ‘quantum leap’ in farming

A three-year research project at an East Anglian farm has shown growers a myriad of small improvements which could spark a “quantum leap” in potato production – and taught some broader lessons about communication and knowledge-sharing. More than 100 farmers, agronomists and suppliers gathered at Rowley Mile Racecourse in Newmarket to hear the results of trials undertaken at the Elveden Estate, near Thetford, as part of the Strategic Potato (SPot) Farm East initiative.
1/12/2019

Gene find unlocks potato colouring

Scientists at The James Hutton Institute have unlocked the genetics of potato skin and flesh colour paving the way for new colourful varieties. A new study identified a genetic molecule that regulates the production of anthocyanin, a natural pigment which influences skin and flesh colour. Researchers also discovered previously unknown inhibitors of anthocyanin.
1/12/2019

How the potato industry can tackle blackleg

Blackleg is a costly disease in potatoes caused by several pectolytic bacteria that have the ability to infect and break down plant tissue, leading to storage losses and crop rejections. Symptoms in the field range from mild wilting of plants in the heat of the day to more severe internal necrosis of stems and the distinctive blackening of the stem base that gives the disease its name. Tuber infection can occur via ingress from the stolon or through tuber lenticels, causing soft rots.
1/11/2019

How a dedicated Chinese potato extension agent turned a ‘desert into land of fortune’

A dry, rainless desert is a nightmare for most farmers, but adequate light and heat that come with it is a blessing for potato growers. And Zhu Hexiang sees it. Zhu is an official at the commerce department of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. A year ago, she was tasked with assisting poverty alleviation work in a village under Yopurga County, some 1,500 km away from the regional capital of Urumqi.
1/9/2019

Specialists suggest strategies for managing frost-damaged potato tubers

In the December issue of the Badger Common’Tater magazine out of Wisconsin in the US, an article is featured in which specialists Paul Bethke and Troy Fishler tackle the matter of frost-damaged potatoes. No one wants to see another harvest like 2018, but perhaps there is value in reviewing the causes and consequences of frost damage and discussing strategies for managing frost-damaged potatoes before we put 2018 to rest and begin making plans for 2019.
1/9/2019

CIPC alternative: Biological sprout inhibitor could stop fungal growth

Given increased global regulation, there has been a search for alternatives to CIPC. One such alternative sprout inhibitor is the biologically derived molecule 1,4-Dimethylnaphthalene (DMN), which is naturally found within potatoes. The chemical has been used for several years and is the active ingredient of commercially available sprout inhibitors including those from Meridian, Idaho-based 1,4 Group.
1/8/2019

Tong showcases equipment advances at LAMMA 2019

Further to recent advancements and developments in Tong’s wide range of potato and vegetable washing, grading and handling equipment, which have most recently seen the launch of a new, compact Fieldloader machine, the FieldLoad PRO, Tong is set to meet growers and packers to discuss the latest innovations and advanced handling systems for 2019.
1/8/2019

New Canada Food Guide expected to recommend shift towards plant-based foods

An overhaul of the Canada Food Guide is set to be released soon, a highly anticipated makeover that will do away with the rainbow visual many Canadians associate with the dietary guide commonly used in hospitals and daycares. One of the major changes expected in the new Food Guide is a focus on plant-based sources of proteins.
1/7/2019

Lamb Weston reports another quarter of strong sales

Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. yesterday announced its fiscal second quarter 2019 results and updated its full year outlook. “We delivered another quarter of strong sales, earnings and cash flow growth,” said Tom Werner, President and CEO. “We’re executing well across the organization and continue to expect the operating environment in North America to remain generally favorable for the remainder of fiscal 2019.
1/6/2019

New CEO takes helm at potato processor Aviko

Former Brakes UK and Grampian Food Group chief executive Ton Christiaanse has been appointed interim CEO of potato processor Aviko. Christiaanse, who stood down as Brakes UK CEO in October 2017, takes over at Dutch-owned foodservice specialist Aviko from Piet Hein Merckens, who stood down at the end of last year.
1/6/2019

Are 100t/ha potato crops possible?

Potato yields in the UK appear to be faltering. While AHDB figures show the 2018 potato crop averaged 41.7t/ha, NIAB CUF head David Firman points to the huge variation between crops, with some yielding above 80t/ha. Looking around the world, Washington state in the USA is a standout performer, with an average above 70t/ha. And triple-digit yields have already been seen in the UK.
1/5/2019

US: Early season potato herbicide considerations

Weeds are a grower’s enemy, so tackling them head on early in the season can make a world of difference later. Because there are a limited number of post-emergence broadleaf herbicides available for use in potatoes, using herbicides before the crop emerges is the best approach to ensure adequate protection of growers’ fields from aggressive nightshade and other broadleaf weeds.
1/4/2019

Sainsbury Laboratory looking for researcher to clone late blight resistant genes

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Researcher with skills in plant genomics and molecular biology to join the Laboratory of Prof. Jonathan Jones at the Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL) with the goal of cloning two blight resistance genes from Solanum americanum,a wild potato relative. The project is a collaboration with Paul Birch and Ingo Hein at JHI, Dundee, with the Kamoun lab at TSL and with the Vleeshouwers lab in Wageningen.
1/3/2019

Experiments find potato that could grow on Mars

The humble potato is a staple food for many cultures across the globe. But it may just be an important food for the future of space exploration. A recent experiment has taken place in the Peruvian capital, Lima. The experiment saw a potato plant growing in conditions similar to what you might find on the surface of Mars.
1/3/2019

Third glut in row, Indian potato farmers reap heavy losses

Sacks of potatoes line both sides of the road at Alwalpur village in Jandu Singha. Distressed by a glut for the third consecutive season, farmers are unable to find buyers for the produce. In sheer desperation, they are giving away sacks of potatoes for free. At least 12 of them have stopped cultivating the crop. “Either we let the crop rot on village streets or give it away to Gujjars for free,” says a local farmer.
1/3/2019

This Canadian french fry plant is fueled by potato scraps

What goes around comes around at Cavendish Farms in New Annan, on Canada’s Prince Edward Island province, where potato scraps from the french fry plant are used at a nearby biogas facility to fuel the fry factory they came from. According to the company, generating biogas allowed it to reduce its dependency on fuel oil by 30 per cent, reducing greenhouse gases by about 35,000 tonnes — the equivalent of taking 7,300 cars off the road for one year.
12/30/2018

First GMO modified, PVY resistant potato goes on sale in 2019 in Argentina

After 20 years of biotechnological research, the first GMO potato that is resistant to the PVY virus is said to go on sale to the public next year in Argentina. The potato’s productive and economic benefits are estimated at 45 million dollars per year in the Argentine market alone. This transgenic potato is the result of an achievement by Technoplant, a subsidiary of the Sidus group of companies.
12/29/2018

Hundreds of British farmers pulling out of potato production, industry organization says

The fall in planted area the past season in Britain has been paired with a long-term rationalisation in the number of registered growers, AHDB Potatoes says in its annual Market Intelligence report for 2018/19. This season, the number of registered growers fell to 1,751 – a reduction of no less than 715 growers since 2000. Meanwhile, the average area per grower has been steadily rising during this period.
12/28/2018

British potato group Bartlett sees drop in profits

A decline in own-label fresh potato sales has been blamed for a drop in turnover and profits at one of Scotland’s most well-known potato companies. Accounts for Albert Bartlett Holdings Ltd, which runs the popular Albert Bartlett potato brand, reveal the group posted a 9.6% decrease in turnover to £154.502 million for the year ended May 31 2018. Pre-tax profits were also down 12.8% to £6.123m, from £7.022m before.
12/27/2018

Market analyst provides insights into potato product innovations that work

Kim Malley is a Senior Analyst with AHDB in the UK. She says that as potato retail volumes grow, smaller categories such as crisps and chilled are increasing at the fastest rate. According to Ms Mallay, this is reflected in the innovations we see in the category, with significant degrees of diversification in terms of new flavours and formats. Conventional oven chips are no longer the overwhelming force in terms of new product development within the category.
12/27/2018

Is the British crisp industry heading for a Brexit crunch?

At the moment crisp maker and exporter Kettle Foods pays no tariffs on any of its exports to Europe – exports which account for 15% of its total production of crisps. Should there be a no-deal Brexit and the UK faces having to pay EU tariffs, that means paying 10% on every pack of crisps.
12/26/2018

Photo gallery: The warm heartbeat of a family run potato farm on Prince Edward Island

Morgan Smallman owns and operates a family farming operation that specializes in the production of potatoes on Prince Edward Island in Canada. The Smallman operation is typical of the traditional family farm where several generations of a particular family are not only playing an active role in the day to day management of business, but where the youngest generation is brought up with a sense of pride and love for the operation.
12/26/2018

‘Alberta could become Canada’s potato capital’

According to Diego Flammini, Staff Writer at Farms.com, Alberta province in Western Canada could dethrone Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.) as the country’s top potato-producing region. Flammini writes that annual spud production figures for Alberta and P.E.I. both sit around 2.23 billion pounds. This is according to a new report from ATB Financial. The report tracks potato production in both provinces since 1998 and found two significant changes.
12/25/2018

Global french fry shortage looming, says market analyst

Fry exports from Europe have become a huge part of the global market growing from under 500 million pounds in 2003 to 3.661 million pounds for the marketing year ending June 30, 2018. But given the production losses, those exports could be down 360 million lbs. next year. At the same time, demand is projected to increase 360 million pounds. That could create a shortfall of 720 million pounds in the coming year.
12/25/2018

North Western European potato crop down 18%, says industry group

The total harvest estimate in the five NEPG countries has now been established at 24.3 million tonnes. These countries are Germany, Belgium, France, Great Britain and the Netherlands. The expected final harvest is 18% lower than last season and nearly 8% lower than the five-year average, says the North Western European Potato Growers organization (NEPG) .
12/24/2018

Early potatoes from Bosnia and Herzegovina marketed successfully

Producers of early potato from Ljubuški associated under the brand ‘Ljubuški rani’ have improved their product quality and in 2018, for the first time, Ljubuški rani found its way to supermarkets in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). Early potatoes from Ljubuški are famous in the region for its quality and early maturing, and has recently become known and branded as “Ljubuški rani”.
12/24/2018

Why wonky spuds will be back in Britain for Christmas

The worst growing conditions in more than 40 years have brought misery for Britain’s potato farmers this year. Freezing spring temperatures in parts of the country, followed by the summer drought – the worst since 1976 – have hit growers across the country and threatened to put some out of business altogether. Now, however, comes a rare piece of good news for the industry. Tesco is relaxing its stringent guidelines.
12/23/2018

Canada: Potato supply will be tight this year, says farm group

Newer retail customers may see some of their potato orders coming up short come summer, says the United Potato Growers of Canada. A poor harvest in many parts of Canada has led to a smaller supply of potatoes in the country. Kevin MacIsaac, general manager of United Potato Growers, said long-term customers will be the priority, and new customers may be out of luck.
12/23/2018

US: Marketers pleased with Red River Valley fresh crop shipping season

In the latest issue of the Potato Bytes newsletter, issued by Northern Plains Potato Growers Association (NPPGA), Ted Kreis writes: “As we near the halfway point of the Red River Valley fresh crop shipping season, marketers are pleased, especially when comparing this year to last year.” The good fortune started early in the season when a heavy snowcover protected about 4,000 acres of unharvested potatoes from the very cold temperatures that settled in for a few days after the snowstorm.
12/22/2018

European potato market said to be ‘lazy and expensive’

According to Bram Werkman of potato wholesaler Landjuweel, the current potato market can be best described as lazy and expensive. “We are actually in a special situation, because as far as price is concerned not much is happening, even though the supply is there. There are a reasonable amount of parties that are ready to sprout and that don’t have an optimal shelf life.”
12/21/2018

Swiss potato processor bought by German investor

Swiss Potato Processor Kadi AG gets new ownership as German private equity investor Paragon Partners has agreed to sell its majority share shares in the company to Invision, an investment company in Zug (CH), thereby securing KADI’s long-term, independent perspective as leading supplier of premium potato products in Switzerland.
12/21/2018

Climate change could hit potato industry hard, researchers find

Potato crops do not perform well in high temperatures, according to a new research paper, and that could be a problem as the weather warms with climate change. Om Rajora, one of the authors of the study, said they tested 55 different varieties, or cultivars, of potatoes, including russet Burbank, a workhorse of the potato industry. The study was published earlier this month in Canadian Science Publishing’s Botany journal.
12/20/2018

French company Champ’Pom joins Europatat organization

Champ’Pom Export was created 10 years ago in Champagne, at the heart of one of the largest French regions of potato production. Nowadays, this company produces and trades more than 30 potatoes varieties, selling a total of 40000 tons per campaign. 20% of their sales is covered by their own production while the rest is produced by French partner farmers based in the northern half of France.
12/19/2018

‘2018 was one of the worst British potato harvests in recent years’

Figures published this week by AHDB Potatoes confirm that 2018 was one of the worst Great Britain potato harvests in recent years, with volumes significantly lower than average and processors noting a direct impact on the quality of available raw materials.
12/18/2018

Potato sales in China not likely to pick up in the short term

The potato market has recently been fairly depressed in China as far as sales are concerned. The supply from major production areas and wholesale markets are slow and does not show any improvement at this time. Data from Sublime China Information (SCI) indicates that the price of potatoes from cold storages in Shandong continues to fall currently.
12/18/2018

Overview of the 2018 North American potato seed crop

The December 12th issue of North American Potato Market News analyzed the 2018 seed crop in the US and Canada. Ted Kreis, editor of Potato Bytes, a weekly newsletter published by the Northern Plains Potato Grower Association (NPPGA), notes the following interesting facts from that issue...
12/18/2018

Turmoil ahead for global potato markets

Widespread crop failure in Europe’s potato fields this past growing season is going to have markets scrambling for french fries and dehydrated potato flakes. What’s happening globally will have a big impact on potato markets this year and next year as well, Bruce Huffaker, publisher of North American Potato Market News, said during the University of Idaho outlook seminar Dec. 12.
12/17/2018

Scotland bucks the spud slump

BRITAIN’S potato harvest was the lowest since 2012, according to newly published figures, which also revealed that Scottish yields held firm against that slump. Despite the ‘challenging’ growing season, potatoes grown north of the border enjoyed a 3% increase in yield against last year to 49.2 tonnes per hectare, while the total British potato harvest was 13% down on the five year average of 5.6m tonnes at 4.9m tonnes.
12/17/2018