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,…
Dehydrated potato manufacturer Idahoan Foods has filed lawsuit related to a 2016 fire at the Idaho Supreme potato dehydration plant in Firth. In the suit, first filed in May, Idahoan Foods alleges that its insurer breached contracts and fair dealing requirements. Idahoan Foods contracts with Idaho Supreme to supply dehydrated potatoes. The Idaho Supreme plant had a major fire on Sept. 5, 2016, which resulted in a more than three-month closure. During…
Growers who practice Integrated Pest Management (IPM) can positively impact their crop production and their bottom line. Integrated strategies offer the strongest protection for potato growers, who need a complete plan for combating every element that threatens their crop. Managing obvious threats like insects, nematodes, diseases, and weeds are often at the forefront of IPM tactics, but taking steps to monitor water management and crop rotation are also important in keeping potatoes…
Do potatoes belong in a healthy diet? Following a decades-long tide of negative buzz about the potato’s role in weight gain, diabetes and a host of other ills, this is the question the potato industry would like to answer once and for all with a resounding “yes! Thanks to a recent initiative focused on potatoes and health, the industry is a big step closer to that goal, according to John Bareman, chair…
Last week Kevin Cramer, congressman for North Dakota, announced $3 million in purchases for red potatoes for nutrition assistance programs through U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). Cramer said he and his staff urged the USDA to buy excess red potatoes from the North Dakota/Minnesota growing area after the Northern Plains Potato Growers Association, East Grand Forks, Minn., requested help moving the crop as the season comes to a…