McCain Foods opens potato storage facility in Tasmania

A storage facility capable of storing 11,000 tonnes of potatoes has opened at South Burnie, Tasmania. The facility is a little over an hour from the McCain Foods - Smithton French Fry plant.

The facility, which can hold 9,000 tonnes in cold-storage long term as well as a further 2,000 tonnes in short term storage, is run by McCain.

Plant operator Rodney Smith said the facility is truly 'world-class'.

Rodney Smith, Plant operator at McCain Foods new refrigerated Burnie potato storage facility:

“This is a controlled climate so you get every potato and you regulate the airflow so everything is even. So you're slowly putting them to sleep.”

He said potatoes can be stored 'very comfortably' in the facility for in excess of six months every year.

The facility has been designed by refrigeration expert Terry Rabson in conjunction with Stubbs Construction.

Mr Smith said the facility will collect potatoes from 65 growers across the north and North-West of Tasmania.

Labor leader Rebecca White said McCain's multi-million dollar facility showed confidence in Tasmanian produce.

Rebecca White:

“The facility... adds value for the company and, most importantly, for growers.”