Potato News from Canada

The Province of Prince Edward Island is providing additional funding support of $500,000 to the Prince Edward Island potato industry, while the federal government also offers $1.5 million additional financial assistance for the purchase and installation of foreign material detection equipment.

Prince Edward Island potato bags have received a makeover. The goal is to convince more Island potato producers to go with the industry bags rather than their own individual brands.

A research scientist at Agriculture and Agrifood Canada has discovered that naturally-occurring bacteria in soil may offer protection against late blight (Phytophthora Infestans).

Loblaw Companies Limited and Strang's Produce Inc. are voluntarily recalling certain Farmer's Market and Strang's Produce brands of Russet Potatoes from the marketplace due to possible food tampering with nails and needles.

Prince Edward Island RCMP Major Crime Unit responded to a potential food tampering incident on May 18, 2015, following a complaint that a metal object was found in a potato.

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

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) has joined forces with McCain Foods Canada and the province’s potato growers in a major project to improve potato yields in New Brunswick by improving soil health.

Potato planting season in Prince Edward Island, Canada has been pushed back by about two weeks due to the record-setting snowfall this winter and spring.

IBM (NYSE:IBM) today announced a services agreement with McCain Foods Limited to create a new technology services delivery facility at McCain’s Florenceville-Bristol, New Brunswick location.

Packaging solutions provider WeighPack Systems has delivered a complete packaging system to weigh and fill mini potatoes.

A weak Canadian Dollar and shipping disruptions at the Port of Seattle (Washinbgton, US) could increase demand for Canadian potatoes in 2015, says a spokesperson for the United Potato Growers of Canada.


A Prince Edward Island (Canada) farm operation has pleaded guilty to failing to properly rotate its potato crop in one of their fields.

Tensions between Russia and Canada are having an impact on P.E.I. potato exports.

Representatives of the Canadian Government announced an investment of $1.83 million in a Canadian-led international research effort to give potato farmers a technological edge in predicting and preventing yield losses in their fields and in storage.

The investigation into a food tampering case involving sewing needles inserted into potatoes is still active, reports Prince Edward Island RCMP spokesperson, Sgt. Leanne Butler.

According to the Canadian Healthy Eating Consumer Trend Report, consumers place an increasingly high priority on health, and more are seeking healthy options away-from-home, but their behaviour and attitudes towards healthy eating are evolving.

It should come as no surprise to Prairie potato growers that Colorado Potato Beetle (CPB) insecticide resistance is increasing.

Lay's, Canada's favourite potato chip brand, announces the return of the Lay's Do Us a Flavour contest (#DoUsAFlavourCanada) and asks fans to embrace the Tastes of Canada.