News On French Fries and Potato Specialties from Manitoba

While the rest of the agriculture sector nervously eyes the oil melt-down, the french fry industry in Canada might actually be poised for a comeback

Potato Producers Manitoba, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick all have reached a deal with the French Fry manufacturers.

The economic importance of the Manitoba Potato Industry comes to light in a study prepared by Informa Economics, The Economic Contributions of the Manitoba Potato Complex.

Keystone Potato Producers Association based in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, has yet to complete negotiations with Simplot Canada II over a contract for 2014 production.

McCain Foods still hasn’t settled on the volume of potatoes it wants Manitoba processing potato growers to produce this year, even though planting is just weeks away.

Manitoba potato farmers could face steeper cuts in contracted potato production unless they can become more cost competitive with other areas of North America, a senior official with McCain Foods says.

McCain Foods (Canada) french fry plant in Portage la Prairie is planning some upgrades ahead this summer.

A shortage of locally grown processing potatoes is threatening to make the Canadian province of Manitoba an importer of spuds for the first time in more than two decades and will lead to production cuts in at least one local processing plant.

McCain Foods (Canada) honoured it's Central Plains potato producers at a dinner November 23 in Portage la Prairie. During the annual Growers Banquet, the Top 10 growers for the year were named. Anton Wiebe Ltd. was named the 2011 McCain champion pota...

McCain Foods is laying off about 10 per cent of its workforce in Portage la Prairie this fall and Manitoba potato producers are expecting a leaner crop year.About 40 people out of a workforce of about 400 at McCain's in Portage are expected to be laid ...

McCain Foods (Canada) was recognized for its environmental leadership and energy conservation achievements at an awards dinner in Toronto on Nov. 24. The company received the award for its energy recovery system at its potato processing plant in Carber...

Business, government, and conservation interests gathered at the McCain Foods (Canada) plant in Carberry today to celebrate a remarkable achievement. A former wastewater lagoon that for years had been devoid of wildlife, has been revitalized.

The continuing strength of the Canadian dollar is posing some problems for Portage La Prairie french fry manufacturers. For Simplot Canada Ltd.’s Portage plant, unit director Chris Tompkins said the high dollar is having an impact on his operation. “W...

First place at the McCain Champion Grower competition came as a bit of a shock for this year’s winners. “I guess we’re certainly surprised,” said Dan Sawatzky from Sawatzky Enterprises of Mac-Gregor, named 2007 Champion Potato Grower for the McCain Foo...