Farm Credit Canada (FCC) is offering support to customers in Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick whose potato crops were impacted by an unusually wet, cold fall, causing a loss in revenue. Potatoes need to be dry and not too cold to be harvested without the risk of damage, and there were very few days in October and November where conditions were right. This followed an extremely challenging growing season, mired by…
Portage la Prairie, MB, November 26, 2018 – McCain Foods (Canada) announced today infrastructure investments totalling $75 million for its Portage la Prairie and Carberry, Man., facilities. The investments further strengthen the company’s potato processing presence in Western Canada. “Our investments at both the Portage la Prairie and Carberry facilities are testaments to McCain’s ongoing commitment to growers, employees and the communities in which we operate in Manitoba,” said Jeff DeLapp, president,…
After three straight years of record-breaking yields in Canada, the 2018 potato crop appeared headed for a significant drop, thanks to the very hot, dry summer seen in many parts of the country. Some timely end-of-season rains, however, had growers feeling more optimistic heading into harvest. “Two or three weeks ago, we were looking at a severe crop production reduction because of excessive heat and lack of moisture,” Kevin MacIsaac, general manager of the…
New Zealand’s potato industry governing body has made a commitment to ensure the quality of potatoes imported from New Zealand by Fiji will be of top quality. Potatoes New Zealand (PNZ) says it wanted to see Fiji’s potato industry grow. Its chief executive, Chris Claridge, made the comments during the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji’s (BAF) bilateral meeting with the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (NZMPI) in Nadi on Tuesday.PNZ was representing…
United Kingdom—China’s developing taste for chips and crisps will soon be fuelled by British produce, as International Trade Secretary Dr. Liam Fox MP secures a deal which enables the UK to export seed potatoes to China. The deal is expected to bring major benefits to Scotland, with around 70% of the 100,000 tonnes of seed potatoes exported annually from the UK coming from Scottish farms. The seed potato export market is already…
It’s not too early to start thinking about your cover crop plans this fall. Are you planning to plough or Synkro/Lemken in late August or early September? Then there is lots of time to establish a cover crop for the winter that will protect the soil, increase bioactivity in the soil, and improve soil organic matter. Plus, you have lots of options for beneficial fall cover crops that will establish before the…
The Potato industry is making a strong statement about potatoes to demonstrate the performance-boosting benefits of America’s favorite vegetable. Potatoes USA, the nation’s potato marketing and research organization, worked with its members to identify a nutrition-based lifestyle benefit that challenges consumers’ preconceived notions about potatoes. Extensive research led to a strategy based on a key truth: Potatoes fuel performance. Most people don’t consider the potato a performance food and are surprised to…
According to potato producers and importers, potato consumption has decreased due to the migration wave, the closing of restaurants, and the reduction of the restaurants working hour. Importers don’t plan to import more potatoes for the rest of the year. “Consumption has drastically fallen because there are no more tourists visiting the country. There are thousands of people emigrating, it is a general effect,” said Pedro Lopez, one of the main importers…
The 19th edition of INTERPOM PRIMEURS will be held on November 25-27, 2018 in Kortrijk Xpo (Belgium). INTERPOM PRIMEURS is the most sharply focused indoor trade fair in Europe for the entire potato and vegetable sector. The whole chain will be taking part, from growers to processing and marketing. Once again, the event has shown positive growth figures and with 315 exhibitors, stand space has already been fully booked, months before the…
Cavendish Farms announced today that they will be focusing on the frozen potato processing business on Prince Edward Island due to the limited availability of raw product (potatoes). The decision will result in the closure of their fresh produce packaging facility in O’Leary, Prince Edward Island at the end of the year. The closure will affect 40 employees. “Cavendish Farms has had to make this difficult business decision based on ongoing demand,…