Potato News

New research gives insight into warding off Colorado potato beetles by way of nematode odors

A recent study revealed insect-killing nematodes also produce distinctive chemical cues that enhance plant defenses and deter Colorado potato beetles. Entomologists from Texas A&M University, including Dr. Anjel Helms, who led the study, and Penn State University took a look at whether Colorado potato beetles and potato plants responded to the presence of entomopathogenic nematodes, EPNs, or insect-killing nematodes.
2/27/2019

Russia found no brown rot in Dutch seed potatoes

According to a report published by FreshPlaza, the Russian Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhodnadzor) will allow the import of Dutch seed potatoes. These imports concern specifically the batches of seed potatoes mentioned on the Dutch Potato Organization’s (NAO) list.
2/26/2019

New potato app helps with crop management and yield data

A new potato-specific smartphone app has been developed to help growers improve crop management and marketing decisions right through the supply chain. Developed by the Peterborough-based potato supplier Greenvale AP, the Crop4Sight app’s first key feature improves understanding of how crop development will impact on marketable yield.
2/21/2019

Belgian delegation visits Mexico to promote fries

Belgapom, the professional association for the Belgian potato trade and processing sectors, is in Mexico on a trade mission, accompanied by high ranking government officials. The trade mission to Mexico is led by Princess Astrid. Belgapom also introduced his ambassador of Belgian fries, James Bint, in Mexico.
2/21/2019

US: Black Gold Farms appoints Chief Production Officer

Black Gold Farms recently announced that Kerwin Bradley has joined the organization as the Chief Production Officer (CPO). As CPO, Kerwin will support all aspects of crop production and sit on the executive team. His role will be to implement best practices, lead variety selection and development, drive the adaption of new and innovative technologies which will improve agronomic decision making, and build out an aggressive production strategy for Black Gold Farms.
2/20/2019

Canadian seed potatoes reportedly sold out

Will last fall’s wet harvest impact supplies of potato seed for spring 2019? The Grower magazine conducted a phone survey of growers and associations in seven provinces of the country to find out. The survey was conducted between February 1 and February 14, 2019. An extended report on this matter will be published in the March 2019 issue of The Grower.
2/20/2019

Belgian company targets younger generation with new potato product launch

Belgian based potato company De Aardappelhoeve introduced a new convenience concept during the Fruit Logistica event in Germany. The new potato product line is targeting a younger generation of consumers. Bart and Ruben Nemegheer say younger people are eating fewer and fewer fresh potatoes. Pre-cooked or processed products are still popular. “The product, directly from nature, is not well-loved among the younger generation,” the pair say.
2/20/2019

‘Land well-suited for potatoes in Britain will decline by 74% under climate projections,’ new report warns

Extreme and unpredictable weather – made more frequent by climate change – is putting future supplies of British potatoes at risk, according to a new report. The damaging impact of climatic extremes could make British-grown potatoes and other fruit and vegetables harder to come by for shoppers, with more than half of UK farms saying they have been affected by a severe climatic event, such as flooding, in the past 10 years.
2/18/2019

New $50 million govt program announced to ‘support competitiveness and sustainability in the Canadian agricultural sector’

The Canadian Federal agriculture minister Lawrence MacAulay has announced the Canadian Agricultural Strategic Priorities Program (CASPP) this past week. It will focus on four priority areas: adoption of new technology; environmental sustainability; strategic development and capacity building; and, emerging issues.
2/18/2019

The beauty of small potatoes: Canadian company launches new mini potato line

The phrase “small is beautiful” is often used to champion small, appropriate technologies that are believed to empower people more, in contrast with phrases such as “bigger is better”. In the world of potatoes, the WP Griffin company on Prince Edward Island in Canada is inadvertently giving new meaning to this phrase. The company recently launched its new product line dubbed ‘Potato Cuisine Microwaveable Mini Potatoes‘...
2/18/2019

Syngenta Canada launches new fungicide for pink rot and Pythium leak control

Syngenta Canada recently announced the launch of Orondis Gold Potato fungicide for the suppression of two common potato storage diseases, pink rot and Pythium leak. Pink rot is a devastating soil-borne disease that thrives in wet, poorly drained soils and can survive in soil for up to seven years. Just a few infected potatoes entering the storage bin can result in substantial losses, infecting healthy tubers and compromising marketable yield.
2/18/2019

Latest issue of the Global Potato News magazine published

The latest issue of the Global Potato News print magazine was published today as a North American and a European edition. Both editions can be accessed as pdf files on the Global Potato News website. You will find links to the pdf’s on this page of the website, or you can directly link to the pdf file for the North American edition here. The pdf file for the European edition can be accessed on this page.
2/15/2019

Fresh Trends 2018 survey: Potatoes, an American consumer favorite

Ever a consumer favorite, potatoes topped the list as the most popular vegetable in the Fresh Trends 2018 survey. It was also the No. 3 item overall that consumers said they purchased. Keep scrolling to see an engaging infographic. But, the likelihood of a potato purchase fell eight percentage points from last year — the largest decline of any item in the survey.
2/14/2019

‘New convenience concept should bring the younger generation back to potatoes’

“Younger people are eating fewer and fewer fresh potatoes. Pre-cooked or processed products are still popular. The product, directly from nature, is not well-loved among the younger generation”, say Bart and Ruben Nemegheer of the Belgian company, De Aardappelhoeve. “We want to get younger people eating potatoes again. So, we went looking for an idea where potatoes are easy to prepare and are healthy and tasty too.”
2/14/2019

Smashed: Survey finds Americans prefer mashed potatoes over french fries

In a recent national survey conducted by Kelton Global, consumers were asked to pick their favorite vegetable, and Idaho® potatoes topped the chart! More than a quarter of Americans (26%) — or nearly 68 million — say Idaho® potatoes are their favored choice over broccoli (19%), corn (14%) or leafy greens (14%).
2/13/2019

Sharp rise in Chinese potato exports to Europe

The Dutch agricultural website AGF.nl reports that it is currently current peak export season for the Chinese potato sector. Exports of Chinese potatoes are reportedly going very well, especially export to the European market. “There is a significant increase in exports compared to previous years, and the export prices also show an upward trend,” says Dan Liu, who is a trader affiliated with a growers’ cooperative in China.
2/12/2019

Novel mustard meal extract for control of potato cyst nematodes

Potato Grower magazine reports in its February 2019 issue on the potential of a novel mustard meal extract for control of PCN. In the article, it is pointed out that nematode-related damage has been estimated to reduce yield by nearly 25 percent in the US. Globally, nematode damage is estimated to reduce yield by 12 percent, at a cost of $157 billion.
2/12/2019

British fish and chips may never be this cheap

The future of one of Britain’s favorite staples could be at risk as climate change threatens areas for growing potatoes, as well as affecting other fruit and vegetables, scientists from the University of Leeds said. Climate change is making the kind of heatwaves that hurt U.K. crops last year more likely, according to Piers Forster and Kate Sambrook of the university’s Priestley International Centre for Climate.
2/11/2019

NEPG: Seed shortage will put damper on potato plantings in major European countries the coming season

In a press release issued on February 6, the NEPG (North-western European Potato Growers) says that it expects a shortage of seed potatoes for the coming production season, mainly for processing varieties. Without a signed contract, it can be very difficult for an individual grower to get seed potatoes.
2/11/2019

Podcast: What is wrong with the potato? Why is it so hard to breed?

Because of its genetic complexity, the potato didn’t undergo a “green revolution” like other staple crops. It can take more than 15 years to breed a new kind of potato that farmers can grow. In this special Podcast by Science magazine, host Sarah Crespi talks with Staff Writer Erik Stokstad about how researchers are trying to simplify the potato genome to make it easier to manipulate through breeding.
2/9/2019

Retail potato sales in the US increased to $11.6 billion in 2018

According to Potatoes USA, the value of total store retail potato sales for 2018 increased by 2.1% over 2017, with total value $11.6 billion. The total volume declined 1.9% for the year though, based on IRI figures. Potatoes USA says the increase in value was paced by refrigerated sales up 5.3% and frozen up 4.1%.
2/8/2019

How do you harvest 50 million pounds of potatoes in one season?

Get an up-close look at the people, planning and processing technologies that help the Keenan family at Rollo Bay Holdings on Canada’s Prince Edward Island send 50 million pounds of potatoes from field to table during a busy harvest. This Video highlights an innovative harvesting system using two unique harvesters dig 15 tonnes of potatoes every five minutes.
2/8/2019

World renowned expert to present on calcium and stress at upcoming Ontario Potato Conference

At the upcoming Ontario Potato Conference, Dr. Jiwan Palta will give a presentation on the Impact of Calcium on Heat and Drought Stress. The organizer of the Confernce, Dr Eugenia Banks says there is lots of interest in this topic not only from Ontarians, but also from other provinces and the US as well.
2/8/2019

Podcast: What is wrong with the potato? Why is it so hard to breed?

British potatoes triumph over imported sweet potatoes

After a two decade decline in volume sales and increasing rivalry from its sweet imported counterpart, it appears things are on the up for the humble spud. Not only have volume sales of standard fresh potatoes increased by 0.5 per cent over the past year and three per cent over the last four years, volume sales of sweet potatoes fell for the first time last year.
2/7/2019

Strong demand for Prince Edward Island organic potatoes

Demand is strong and pricing up for organic potatoes from Canada’s Prince Edward Island. “We’re in a good position to finish by the end of March or early April,” says Dwayne Coffin of Vanco Farms in Mount Albion, PEI. “Demand is strong and along with that, a favorable exchange rate has allowed us to see higher pricing over last year.”
2/6/2019

Chips in the UK are an inch shorter after climate change hits potato harvests

British chips really have been left an inch shorter thanks to 2018’s extreme and unpredictable weather, according to a report on the UK’s fruit and vegetable industry. A prolonged heatwave over the summer was among the hottest on record. Some parts of the country had no rain for as long as 58 days. The dry conditions led to the fourth lowest potato harvest in 60 years, while crops such as carrots and onions also struggled.
2/6/2019

Organic potatoes: Climate change clearly felt

The weather extremes from last year are still having an impact. Never before has climate change been so clearly felt. At temperatures of around 25°C potatoes react with stress; at higher temperatures the plant stops its growth completely. According to the Deutscher Wetterdienst, there were 55 days of over 27°C during the vegetation period of the potato and even 30 days of more than 30°C.
2/6/2019

Potato processor Cavendish Farms imports millions of pounds of potatoes to Canada

Prince Edward Island french fry manufacturer Cavendish Farms in Canada is reportedly importing a larger than usual amount of potatoes from other parts of Canada and the United States to make up for a local shortfall in supply. The Irving-owned Cavendish Farms said it has had to import 20 million pounds of potatoes from New Brunswick, Maine and Alberta already this year and expects to bring in another 100 million pounds in the months to come.
2/4/2019

Climate change impacts Michigan potato chip industry

Michigan is the nation’s largest grower of potatoes for chips — about one in four bags sold in the U.S. is made from Michigan potatoes. Can climate change jeopardize the state’s dominance? Maybe, a new study warns. That’s because warming temperatures will require more ventilation and refrigeration — and thus higher energy bills — to store potatoes after harvesting and in the spring and early summer before processors need them to make chips.
2/4/2019

State of the US potato industry

Spudman magazine published an extensive report on the state of the potato industry in the US at this time. Here is a brief summary of some of the issues discussed in the report. Tariffs were a major story for the global economy in 2018 and the potato industry did not escape their effects. China and Mexico — two of the largest importers of U.S. potatoes — levied tariffs on numerous goods, including spuds, in response to the Trump administration’s tariffs.
1/28/2019

Potatoes New Zealand continues work in response to Potato mop-top virus find

As 2019 kicks off, PNZ continues to work alongside Biosecurity New Zealand in response to the Potato mop-top virus (PMTV) incursion. “We continue to gather intelligence, test tubers and carry out soil bait testing. The situation remains much the same as it did at the end of 2018, with positive tests in the Canterbury region so far.
1/28/2019

Pass the chips and dip! Snacking and the American Super Bowl

For the second year, SNAC International, the international trade association for the snack industry, examined just how many snacks Americans purchased for the Super Bowl. “The Super Bowl is primetime for the entire snack industry. Our members, including snack producers and their suppliers prepare for this monumental snacking holiday months in advance,” said Elizabeth Avery, President & CEO, SNAC International.
1/28/2019

Overview of the global potato market

This past Friday, FreshPlaza.com published a comprehensive overview of current developments in the potato market in a number of key potato producing countries around the world. In the report it is said that the heat kept many parts of Europe in its grip last summer. The persistent high summer temperatures had a direct impact on the potato harvest. Lower yields were reported in Northern European countries, but how is the situation now?
1/27/2019

Trend: Canada’s Food Guide recommends we eat more plants, less meat

Meat and dairy are out. Plants and water are in. Those appear to be the biggest takeaways from the newest version of Canada’s Food Guide, which was released last week by Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor.
1/27/2019

European farmers concerned about looming CIPC ban

According to a report by the Spanish news publication Agrodigital, there are mounting concern among European growers that the commonly used sprout inhibitor Chlorpropham (CIPC) might be banned. CIPC was approved for use on potatoes in longterm storage during the 2018/19 production season, but there is wide concern that it will not be approved for the next storage season.
1/27/2019

USA and Canada potato production: by the numbers

The United States harvests just over one million acres of potatoes each year. Idaho leads the way, digging more than 300,000 acres, mostly in Eastern Idaho’s Snake River Valley. Russets still dominate, with a global reach. Canada’s fresh shipments both complement and compete with U.S. potatoes. The True North cultivates about 350,000 acres in total, harvests more than 185 varieties and is a significant exporter.
1/26/2019

US industry looks to open China to fresh potatoes

According to a report by Capital Press, industry leaders in the US say they hope to open new doors for exporting fresh potatoes to China. “We believe we’re maybe in the final stages of trying to open up the Chinese fresh market,” said Bill Brewer, president and CEO of the Oregon Potato Commission.
1/26/2019

US: Strong demand for potatoes pushing prices higher

Domestic supplies of potatoes in the US are tight and prices are slightly up. “It’s pretty tight in Wisconsin given the harvest we had. We had a really challenging growing season and an even more challenging harvest season, so supplies are down,” says Andy Diercks of Coloma Farms, Inc. in Coloma, Wi. “What’s available for supplies on the fresh side is also working through some storage issues.”
1/25/2019

Irish Farmers’ Association issues potato market update

The IFA says there is a slight lull in the market this week as buyers have restocked post-Christmas, and sales have yet to resume to normal patterns. However, due to lower stock levels any grower who wants to move product has no problem doing so. The annual IFA stock survey is now underway and the organization says it should have some idea on levels in store in the coming weeks.
1/24/2019

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