b'choosing one resource for both packaging and end of the line solutions for their operations.Solidtec, of Dronten, Netherlands is a company which manufacturers gantry style palletizing systems for fresh produce and other markets. Manter has had many requests from their European customers for help in integrating palletizing solutions into the packaging and weighing systems they install, so Solidtechs products will be able to fulfill those requests.The closer involvement and cooperation with the Solidtec team will enable us to be more efficient with the integrating of our weighing and packaging machines along with the palletizing solution the customer needs for their application, Herman Wehkamp, managing director of Mante, says in a news release.All companies will continue to operate independently. Large European French Fry Company Buys Chinese Fry CompanyDutch-based Aviko, one of Europes largest producers of fresh, frozen, dried and specialty potato products, has reached a deal to acquire 90 per cent of Hongyuan Louis, a frozen french fry producer based in Xilinhot, North of Bashang, China from Hongyuan Agriculture, according to a release from Aviko.The deal includes a factory with an annual capacity of 50,000 tons, potato storages, a semi-automatic cold store, boiler house, waste-water treatment and around 170 employees. Hongyuan Agriculture will stay involved as a 10 per cent shareholder and will closely cooperate with Aviko for the sourcing of potatoes.Aviko has been active in China since 2007 with production activities in Gansu, they are recognized as one of the leading international brands for frozen potato products. MARKET NEWSJapan Top Export Market for U.S. Potato ProductsThe United States exported nearly US$348 million worth of potatoes and potato products to Japan in 2018, making the Asian nation the No. 1 overseas market for U.S. potatoes, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service report.Japan is a major importer of cooked and prepared frozen products, with the U.S. accounting for nearly 70 per cent of Japans total imports annually. Japans market for U.S. potato products is strong with an increasing popularity for the spud as a side-dish. Favoured for their reliable quality, uniform size, and white color, U.S. frozen french fries lead all potato export product categories.The report notes in 2017 Japan lifted a 10-year ban on imports of chipping potatoes from Idaho. There are no regional or seasonal restrictions though on imports of processed potatoes, such as frozen french fries, though. U.S. table stock potatoes are not currently eligible for export to Japan. DOUBLE NICKELNew generation Fungicide & BactericideDisease control from Top to Bottom. Double Nickel is bee safe,0 PHI & residue exempt.46 SPUDSMART.COM SPRING 2020WWW.UAP.CA'