Potato News

Nutrition prof in deep fat over French fries comments

On the not-quite sixth day of Christmas, a researcher gave to “we” … six lousy french fries — and a salad grown organically. Eric Rimm, professor of the departments of epidemiology and nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and real-life Grinch recently was quoted in a New York Times story, “You Don’t Want Fries With That.” According to the article, “Of Americans’ appetite for fries, Dr. Rimm said, ‘It’s too bad in this country you’ll pry them from my cold dead hand.'”
12/17/2018

Historic low production of table potatoes in Sweden

Statistics Sweden and the Swedish Board of Agriculture report that the Swedish potato production is estimated at 449 000 tonnes. This is lower than record low levels in modern times in 2006, 2007 and 2015, and also lower than the years of crop failures in 1867 and 1899.
12/17/2018

Coming to terms with Fusarium dry rot in potato storages

Potato specialists in the US recently published an information fact sheet on Fusarium dry rot in potato storages in which they provide practical tips on how potato growers can deal with this all too familiar problem that is no doubt known to many potato growers in North America. The bulletin was published in the Northwest Potato Research Consortium’s newsletter Potato Progress.
12/16/2018

Why British potato farmers should rethink blight fungicide plans

Fungicide sensitivity testing of British late potato blight strains suggests an emerging genotype is very aggressive and more difficult to control with several common fungicides. The laboratory discovery prompted a warning against complacency when formulating future blight control strategies to help prevent the loss of other fungicides. The AHDB commissioned work to test a range of fungicide groups active against potato disease phytophthora infestans.
12/16/2018

Global potato facts and figures

The potato is regarded as the third most important food crop in the world after rice and wheat in terms of human consumption. According to the International Potato Center (CIP) in Lima, Peru, more than a billion people worldwide are estimated to eat potatoes – about one in seven. In an article in the launch issue of the new print magazine, Global Potato News, the latest FAOSTATdata is published related to the top 25 potato producing countries in the world, and also the top 20 global exporters of frozen potatoes.
12/15/2018

‘Potato production hits lowest level since 2012, but healthy outlook for British spud eaters’

British potato farmers were hit by drought in 2018, leaving the total volume of spuds harvested at the lowest level since 2012, and the fourth smallest since 1960, AHDB Potatoes says in a recent report. The British potato harvest is 13% down on the five-year average of 5.6m tonnes at 4.9m tonnes, according to our annual estimate.
12/15/2018

Spanish potato production down by 15-20%

The FEPEX Potato Committee, which met this week in Madrid, confirmed that this year’s production will be between 15% and 20% smaller than last year’s. The Committee also analyzed the prospects for the next season, in which the price of seed will be decisive, and it prepared the sector’s participation in coming international meetings.
12/15/2018

Potato Growers of Canada comments on latest harvest figures

The Potato Growers of Canada (UPGC) issued a report in which the organization comments on the latest potato harvest estimates by Statistics Canada, released yesterday. “Given the late harvest in the country, and the amount of acres left in the field, it was difficult for Statistics Canada to gather the appropriate information from growers at a normal time,” according to Kevin MacIsaac, General Manager of the Potato Growers of Canada.
12/14/2018

Farm Frites issues first global sustainability report

Plans on reducing the impact of potato growing and manufacturing on the environment have been outlined in Farm Frites’ first global sustainability report. The report looks at the sustainable measures the company is taking and how pubs can promote the environmental and ethical credentials of the potato firm. It outlines nine areas where the company is accountable on both ethical and sustainable issues.
12/14/2018

‘Potato production hits lowest level since 2012, but healthy outlook for British spud eaters’

Handy online carbon emissions calculator indicates low climate footprint of potatoes

The BBC has published an online carbon emissions calculator tool which can be used by anyone to calculate the climate footprint of different common food groups, including potatoes. When one activates the calculator to determine the footprint of potatoes as a food source, it becomes clear that potatoes are and remain one of the most environmentally friendly, low carbon additions to anyone’s evening meal.
12/14/2018

Algeria to stop seed potato imports in 2021, minister says

In Algeria, the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries Abdelkader Bouazghi is reported as saying on Saturday that “Algeria will stop the import of potato seeds in 2021.” In a statement the minister indicated that this farm has “greatly” succeeded in the technical mastery of the production of quantities of seed potatoes of first generation (G1) allowing the production of second generation G2 plants and “meeting the national needs for Super Elite seeds”.
12/12/2018

UK potato production hits lowest level since 2012

UK potato production has hit its lowest level since 2012 and the fourth smallest since 1960, down by 13% on the five-year average of 5.6m tonnes at 4.9m tonnes. The relatively low production figure is a result of an estimated 4.4% drop in planted area, and a 12% drop in average yield.
12/12/2018

Idaho potato research project focused around Pythium leak

Now in the third year of his research project, Andrew Hollingshead, a Ph.D. student will continue bruising, battering and dissecting tubers throughout the winter. But these unusual experiments are nothing new at the University of Idaho’s Kimberly Research & Extension Center. The center has been researching potatoes since the early ‘90s.
12/12/2018

Peru: Giving potatoes added value

In Peru, potatoes are a product with high potential; however, not enough efforts have been made to allow the growers to receive a higher price for their productions. In this regard, the executive director of the Center for Productive Innovation and Technology Transfer for Potatoes and other Andean Crops (CITE Papa), Celfia Obregón Ramírez, said that the biggest challenge with this food is to give it added value.
12/12/2018

US potato specialist to go on sabbatical in Australia

Dr. Steve Johnson, a full professor with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, spends most of his time at the Aroostook Research Farm in Presque Isle. That won’t be the case starting this December when Dr. Johnson goes on sabbatical. (Johnson) I have applied for and been granted an opportunity to go learn about potato production and help some growers in another country, another area. I’ve chosen Australia.
12/11/2018

Health attributes, choices drive potato sales, marketers say

The best way to keep potatoes moving is to keep consumers informed, marketers say. Understanding the consumer’s evolving attitudes and behaviors about food is paramount to marketing any food product, including potatoes, said Kim Breshears, marketing programs director with Denver-based Potatoes USA.
12/10/2018

UK: Mike Storey to retire after 36 years

Dr R.M.J. (Mike) Storey has been a key player in the potato industry for a long time – some 36 years with AHDB and its predecessor organisations and six years in potato-focused research before that. The time has come for him to retire at Christmas and he will be missed, not only as an effusive enthusiast and supporter of the potato but also because there is just so much knowledge of the crop that’s going to leave with him.
12/10/2018

China launches first potato-based skincare line

Yiwen Hao is the founder of Pototaly, the world’s first potato-based organic skincare brand. It’s no accident that she’s launching a product made from the humble tuber: her family business is Landun Xumei Foods, an enormous farm-to-factory and farm-to-restaurant producer of potatoes, active in everything from processing to delivery.
12/8/2018

Potato plant researcher Phil Hamm gives final presentation

Phil Hamm has dedicated his professional life to studying plant disease and has been a great asset for potato growers in the process. Hamm’s journey, at least professionally, is coming to an end, however. The longtime Oregon State University employee and Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension director will retire next summer. He has been with Oregon State for 30 years and has studied plant disease for 45 years, reported the Eastern Oregonian.
12/8/2018

TOMRA strengthens footprint in China

TOMRA, a global leader in sensor-based sorting technology, is committed to its long-term development in China and has further strengthened its set-up in this fast-growing market. Since establishing the first subsidiary in China in 2010, TOMRA has been actively increasing its investment and business activities in this dynamic market. Currently TOMRA has three businesses
12/7/2018

The passing of a revered Canadian potato hero: Marinus (Bill) De Vos

We report today with much sadness the passing of a Canadian potato pioneer and staunch supporter of the Canadian and International potato industry: Bill DeVos. Bill passed away on November 25th in Victoria, Canada. He was a greatly respected figure in the Canadian potato industry and internationally as well.
12/4/2018

National Potato Council in the US comments on Free Trade Agreement

Last week, NPC joined over 100 other agriculture organizations in filing comments on the recently-announced Japan Free Trade Agreement. This information is intended to assist the Office of the Trade Representative in organizing its agriculture priorities in advance of the beginning of formal negotiations, according to a report published by Potato Bytes today.
12/4/2018

Sales results mixed for retail potatoes in the US

According to a press release issued today by Potatoes USA, total store potato sales of potatoes for the July – September 2018 period compared to the same quarter the previous marketing year, were down -1.9% in volume but were up 1.3% in value based on a 5.0% increase in the price per pound.
12/4/2018

Potato prices in Europe double as harvest falls below average

A 10-million-tonne drop in the EU potato harvest has fueled a surge in spud prices across the continent. Supplies across Europe have fallen 13.5% this harvest, dropping from 64.6 million tonnes in 2017 to 54.4 million tonnes this year, as a result of this summer’s drought.
12/4/2018

Trade spat: Mexico tariff on US frozen fries remains in place

The National Potato Council (NPC) in the US reports that a formal signing of the new so-called USMCA trade agreement between the US, Canada and Mexico was signed yesterday, but Mexico’s 20-percent tariff on US frozen fries remains in place because of US tariffs on steel and aluminium.
12/3/2018

Video: Idaho potato operation restructured harvest and storage system

Wada Farms out of Michaud, Idaho restructured their harvest and storage system in 2016 with major changes. The operation went from two 10-row systems to one 16-row system for harvesting. They updated from two 6400 Spudnik harvesters to one 6640 harvester – a much bigger harvester (a “spud son of a gun”, one operator says).
12/3/2018

More farmers venture into potato production in Africa’s Zimbabwe country

Chimanimani district in Zimbabwe is slowly turning into a potato farming hub as most communal farmers in the high rainfall parts of the district have shifted into growing the cash crop that they say has better returns.
12/3/2018

Potato crisis in Canada’s Manitoba province

Potato problems in Manitoba and across the country could cause a shortage of the starchy dinner staple. In Manitoba, Canada’s second largest potato producer, thousands of acres of land with the plant went unharvested after a bad crop.
12/2/2018

Video: Idaho potato operation restructured harvest and storage system

US potato imports rise in quarter; demand up

US potato imports rose by 10 percent in volume and 12 percent in dollar value for the July-September marketing quarter from a year earlier, Potatoes USA reported. Fresh potatoes saw the biggest increase, a 32 percent gain to 77,507 metric tons, the marketing group said in a news release.
12/2/2018

Poor potato crop hits British crisp maker’s profits

A less-than-stellar potato crop has impacted Bradford-based snacks company Seabrook Crisps. Its gross profit percentage was down to 41.8% from 47% the previous year and operating profit fell to 11.3% from 14.9% in 2017. The main reason cited for the drop in profits was the poor potato crop throughout 2018.
11/30/2018

Photo report: Interpom | Primeurs show

From last Sunday, 25 November, until Tuesday, 27 November, the 19th edition of the Interpom | Primeurs was held at the Xpo in Kortrijk, Belgium. There were 328 exhibitors from 15 different countries at this trade show. The Show was visited by 19.508 people from 49 different countries.
11/30/2018

Cavendish Farms to install latest TOMRA steam peelers in new processing plant

Cavendish Farms, one of the larger potato processors in North America, is equipping its new french fry production facility in Lethbridge, Alberta with TOMRA’s Eco steam peelers. Cavendish Farms has existing solutions supplied by TOMRA Food at their processing facilities in New Annan, Prince Edward Island and Jamestown, North Dakota. The new production facility in Alberta will include the latest steam peeling technology from TOMRA.
11/30/2018

Fewer potatoes emerging from the 2018 US crop

Supplies of potatoes look to be lower this year across the U.S. “It appears we’re going to have a short supply of potatoes this year which we haven’t had in a long time,” says Ken Gad of South Easton, MA-based Cambridge Farms Inc. Gad notes that potatoes across the country have come in in uneven amounts.
11/29/2018

Trial results in Belgium with controlled release fertilizers on potato production

In a video published by ICL Specialty Fertilizers, the Jolly farming operation in Ittre, Belgium shares results of their trial with Agrocote Max, a controlled release specialty fertilizer produced by ICL Fertilizers. The Interra farm project is up and running for 6 years now together with Syngenta and New Holland.
11/29/2018

Video: Harsh potato harvest in Canada ‘worst in living memory’

From the Prairies to Prince Edward Island, a harsh fall harvest means Canada could be facing a serious potato shortage, one that is causing millions of dollars worth of Canadian potatoes to rot in the ground this year. A video report was aired by the CBC’s National news programme, in which an overview of the potato situation across Canada is provided.
11/29/2018

Scotland’s First Minister opens Albert Bartlett’s chilled potato plant

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has formally opened Albert Bartlett’s new chilled potato plant, unveiling a plaque at its headquarters in Airdrie to mark the occasion. Albert Bartlett, the UK’s leading supplier of fresh potatoes, welcomed the First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon to its headquarters in Airdrie on Monday 26 November, where she unveiled a plaque to open formally the new chilled potato plant.
11/29/2018

Different soil tilling and mulching practices key to China’s potato crop, researchers say

Rong Li and colleagues at Ningxia University in Yinchuan, China set out to discover if different tilling and mulching practices could improve soil moisture—and crop yields—in China's Loess Plateau, where potato is the main crop. The researchers studied three tillage options (conventional, no-till, and subsoiling) combined with three mulching options (no mulch, straw mulch, and plastic film).
11/28/2018

Your next sofa could be built out of potato

A soggy pile of potato offcuts might not seem a likely birthplace for a “materials revolution”, but it has already begun – the trimmings and skins from our favourite vegetable could form furniture and fittings to help create a more positive, ‘circular’ approach to material use.
11/28/2018

Global potato promotion campaign launched in Europe

The global potato promotion campaign “Imagine a world without potatoes” was launched at the Interpom Primeurs event that is taking place in Belgium this week.The campaign, spearheaded and coordinated by the International Potato Center (CIP), based in Lima, Peru, is an effort supported by a host of international companies to promote the potato and its nutritional benefits and versatility as a food source among consumers around the world.
11/28/2018

The Little Potato Company introduces new look and new flavors at PMA Fresh Summit 2018

The Little Potato Company is making big waves this season—after debuting a new look and new product offerings at the PMA Fresh Summit in Orlando, Florida, earlier this year. Robert Schaulis, writer at AndNowUKnow spoke with Richard Vann, Vice President of Marketing and Product Innovation, to learn more about the company’s rebranding efforts
11/28/2018

US: A ray of hope in trade wars

Retaliatory tariffs placed on U.S. frozen potato exports to Mexico have encouraged Mexican purchasers to shift to frozen product from Canada and the EU. Sales of U.S. frozen potato products to Mexico in September 2018 were down more than 25 per cent compared to September 2017.
11/27/2018

McCain invests $75M in Canadian potato processing plants

McCain Foods is committing $75 million for two Manitoba potato processing plants, including those in Carberry and Portage la Prairie. A press release from the company says $45 million is earmarked for the Portage la Prairie facility for the purchase of a new high-efficiency potato sorting system, “cutting edge” processing and packaging equipment.
11/27/2018

New members join the Idaho Potato Commission

The Idaho Potato Commission has new members. The commissioners joined the group for a three-year term during its October meeting. “It’s a pleasure for me to welcome Todd and Brett, two well-respected veteran industry members, to the IPC,” Frank Muir, commission president and CEO, said in a news release.
11/27/2018

Canada: Many PEI potato suppliers haven’t started packing yet

Potato growers and shippers in Prince Edward Island are holding back on packing as they wait to assess their crops after frost back in September. The frost came earlier than usual while the potatoes were still in the ground. As a result, supplies are very tight and will be so for the foreseeable future. “Potato supplies are very tight right now because a lot of producers haven’t started packing yet,” noted Ashton Perry of W.P. Griffin.
11/26/2018

An all-potato diet: 8 years later

Chris Voigt made national and international news when, for two whole months, he ate nothing but potatoes. It’s been eight years since Voigt, the executive director of the Washington State Potato Commission, embarked on his 20-potatoes-a-day diet. From the start of October through November in 2010, Voigt consumed only spuds, a few basic seasonings and small amounts of oil for cooking. His endeavor drew attention from NBC’s Today Show, CBS News, Fox, NPR and the UK’s Daily Telegraph.
11/26/2018

Potatoes down under? Yes!

Look nowhere else than New Zealand to find them spuds down under! The potato industry in NZ is valued at $982 million per annum, says Gemma Caroll, Communications and Engagement Officer at Potatoes New Zealand. Gemma says that processed products make up 65% of that value.
11/26/2018

Potato storage: Specialist suggests options

It happens every harvest – you look at your potato storage capacity and wonder, “Do I have enough – is it time to expand?” Says Chad Kleisinger, potato storage specialist at Meridan: “When you decide it is time to increase or update your storage facilities, your first question will most likely be: Where do I start?” Here are some beginning questions to help organize your thoughts as you consider expanding your storage capacity.
11/25/2018

Syngenta announces registration of new potato seed piece treatment

Syngenta Canada recently annou ced the registration of Vibrance® Ultra Potato as a new seed piece treatment for the suppression of pink rot and control of key seed- and soil-borne diseases, including late blight. Vibrance Ultra Potato combines difenoconazole (Group 3), sedaxane (Group 7), and mandipropamid (Group 40) in a convenient liquid pre-mix formulation.
11/25/2018