In New Brunswick’s potato belt, the spud is king, yielding two billion pounds of product for a $1.5 billion industry during the annual fall harvest. This year’s potato crop is bigger and better than 2020, thanks to warm weather and good rain over the summer growing season.

Cavendish farms haven’t laid off any staff yet because of the coronavirus (COVID-19), but a spokeswoman for the company says short-term layoffs are expected.

Canadian potato processing company Cavendish Farms, a subsidiary of J.D. Irving, announced last week that it will build a new potato research and plant breeding centre in New Annan, Prince Edward Island.

Cavendish Farms is working to develop potato varieties that can thrive in dry growing conditions on Prince Edward Island, says the company’s president Robert Irving.

Prince Edward Island French Fry Manufacturer Cavendish Farms is importing a larger than usual amount of potatoes from other parts of Canada and the United States to make up for a local shortfall in supply.

Potato Processor Cavendish Farms in New Annan, Prince Edward Island, turns potato material not suitable for french fries into biogas, reducing the plant's dependency on fuel oil by 30 per cent.

On Prince Edward Island the Lands Protection Act limits the maximum size of land a landowner or corporation can own. Robert Irving, president of processor Cavendish Farms said current limits should be doubled, so potato farmers can increase their yields.

French Fry manufacturer Cavendish Farms officially opened its new state-of-the-art potato storage facility in New Annan, Prince Edward Island with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Canadian Potato Processing company Cavendish Farms is investing in major potato storage upgrades at its New Annan French Fry plant, Prince Edward Island.