Potato News from Northern America

The J. R. Simplot Company is planning to build a state-of-the-art potato processing plant in Caldwell, Idaho, with site preparation anticipated to begin next May and start-up expected by spring of 2014.

Global demand for frozen potato products (comprised mostly of frozen fries) is forecast up 5 percent from last year, according a recent report by the USDA.

Private labels and a switch back to paper bags are among the packaging trends cited by Prince Edward Island potato grower-shippers. In packaging, Gary Linkletter, president and co-owner of Summerside-based Linkletter Farms Ltd., cited a trend toward p...

FAO Food Price Index October 2011 The FAO Food Price Index (FFPI) averaged 216 points in October 2011, down 4 percent, or as much as 9 points, from September and 22 points, or 9 percent, below its peak of 238 points reached in February 2011. The ...

According to the findings of a new study released by the United States Potato Board (USPB), fresh potatoes are more of a planned purchase than ever. But at the same time, this research paints the picture of a potato shopper as someone who is more prone...

Prince Edward Island grower-shippers likely won’t export as many potatoes to the Caribbean and other markets this year. Greg Donald, general manager of the Charlottetown-based Prince Edward Island Potato Board, agreed that a more normal European crop ...

Onder invloed van een groeiend aantal fast food aanbieders neemt ook de vraag naar bevroren aardappelproducten snel toe. Voor het komend seizoen verwacht het Amerikaans ministerie van landbouw (USDA) zelfs 5 procent meer vraag. Voor seizoen 2011/12, w...

Penford Food Ingredients launched a potato-resistant starch, PenFibe™ RS, which allows manufacturers to add dietary to a wide variety of food applications. PenFibe RS features a low water-holding capacity for increased solids/bulk without affecting pro...

According to a Nation's Restaurant News overview of menu trends for 2012 modern takes on Thai cuisine and street-style Indian food will be the hot restaurant trends in 2012.

Cavendish Farms has entered a long-term partnership with The Jersey Shore Fry Company. As of September 1, 2011, Cavendish Farms has agreed to be the exclusive frozen french fry supplier of The Jersey Shore Fry Company and its authorized distributors....

Zebra chip, a disease that affects potatoes, was recently found in the potato-growing regions of Washington, Oregon and Idaho. The discovery brings to focus the growing need for scientific answers – something that will be discussed at the SCRI Zebra Ch...

Diamond Foods, Inc. (Nasdaq:DMND) today announced that its previously announced acquisition of the Pringles snack business from The Procter &Gamble Company ("P&G") is now expected to close in the first half of calendar 2012. Diamond a...

In light of the recent confirmation of zebra chip in Idaho, Focus on Potato, a nonprofit potato crop management resource, has made open access its presentation on Zebra Chip Disease of Potatoes by Gary Secor of North Dakota State University. This pres...

Last week the Procter & Gamble Company recognized its top performing external business partners during an awards ceremony at its Business Partner Recognition Dinner. Potato Dehy supplier Farm Frites was among those receiving a top honour.

A “boom or bust” cycle of rain, then drought, then more rain turned out well for Prince Edward Island potato growers, who expect good quality and little late blight pressure. The only wrinkle in 2011-12 could be undersized burbank russets. Early fall...

'Focus on Potato' of the Plant Management Network has published a new webcast: Common Scab of Potatoes By Thomas A. Zitter Ph.D., Professor, Dept of Plant Pathology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York

Milestone Year Kicks Off with a Tribute to the Farmers and State’s Rich Natural Resources. The 2011 Idaho® potato harvest season is in full swing and the 319,000 acres that will be harvested are expected to yield more than 12 billion pounds of potatoes.

Key Technology announces the appointment of Richard Hebel to the position of Optical Product Marketing Manager. Hebel is responsible for planning and managing activities that support the development and sales of Key’s laser / camera sorting systems inc...