In Costa Rica, potato growers, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) and the University of Costa Rica (UCR) are exploring the possibilities for the local production of french fries.
The plan is to develop potato varieties suitable for processing and to install a production plant to process the potatoes.
Costa Rica currently imports 18,000 tons of frozen french fries, mainly from Canada, the United States, Belgium and the Netherlands. Both the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, José Joaquín Salazar and Fabián Segura, president of the National Association of Potato Producers in Costa Rica, see this import figure as an indication of changing consumer taste and an excellent business opportunity.
Costa Rica harvested 62.000 tons of potatoes in 2014 and production fluctuates from year to year. However, all potatoes produced are table potatoes and none are suitable for industrial processing. Potatoes for the production of french fries must have a high dry matter content and they must be uniform in size. Therefore, it is necessary to develop, adapt and produce potato varieties suitable for industrial use.
Testing Program
Salazar explained that there is a research program to develop potato varieties suitable for industrial production of french fries, which is carried out by the UCR and the National Institute of Innovation and Transfer in Agricultural Technology (INTA).
Both institutions have already done studies and laboratory tests and are now performing field trials. In these trials are also farmers of the region Zarcero, a region near Cartago, involved.
While the variety trials continue, a feasibility study for the industrial plant will be executed. According to Segura, this study estimated at a cost of $7,500 will be paid from their own resources. He added that they expect technical and financial support from the government, but this is the non-refundable part. Government support for the program was awarded last week, with a declaration that the production test for french fries was a matter of public and national interest for Costa Rica.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Salazar said, expect potato production to launch in about two years, as in the agricultural part there is much progress.
Potato Cultivation in Costa Rica
