Potato Markets Overview — Canadian Spud Congress Spotlight

With the Canadian Spud Congress coming up on March 22 and 23, we’re highlighting the sessions happening at it on Spud Smart. First up is the “Potato Markets Overview” session.

As you head into the upcoming growing season, you may be questioning what the market situation will look like. Following a year of record national production, drought on the Prairies and export issues for Prince Edward Island, processors and packers are working to adapt. This session will provide an overview of the supply and demand situation for fresh and processing markets in North America, Europe and around the globe.

Moderator: Ashley Robinson, editor of Spud Smart

Time: 9:10 a.m. CDT on March 22

Presenters

Cedric Porter is the editor of World Potato Markets, a weekly briefing on potato and potato product trade, prices and production, read by potato professionals across the globe. Based in the United Kingdom, he has written and consulted on global agricultural supply and business for 25 years. Porter is vice-chairman of Linking Environment and Farming (LEAF) which promotes sustainable farming using the LEAF Marque, farmer-focused research, and engagement with the public. He is also a non-executive of a U.K. farming business which grows 1,000 acres of potatoes.

Dale Lathim is the executive director of the Potato Growers of Washington, Inc. (PGW), which is the bargaining association that represents the growers of contracted potatoes, supplying the processing plants in the Columbia Basin of Washington and Oregon. Lathim has held this position for the past 27 years.

In addition to his role with PGW, Lathim’s also the president of the Potato Marketing Association of North America. This association represents all of the bargaining associations whose members grow contract potatoes that supply the processing plants in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alberta, Manitoba, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Maine and Prince Edward Island.

Kevin MacIsaac joined the United Potato Growers of Canada (UPGC) in 2011 as the general manager. He is a graduate of the Nova Scotia Agricultural College and the University of Guelph. Prior to joining UPGC, he operated a family farm (Lily Pond Farms) with his brother Blair for 27 years. He has been involved with many agricultural organizations, including chair of the Prince Edward Island Potato Board, chair of the P.E.I. Soil and Crop Improvement Association, and director of the P.E.I. Processing Committee. Before farming he was an extension agronomist with the New Brunswick Department of Agriculture. In his current role with UPGC, MacIsaac communicates with potato producers across the various Canadian provinces, and also meets regularly with his counterparts at the United Potato Growers of America. In his spare time, he’s a marathon runner and enjoys spending time with his five grandchildren.

To watch this session live register for the Canadian Spud Congress for free.

Thank you to our session sponsor Corteva Agriscience

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