Potato News from Victoria

Australian potato growers keen to learn about the latest research for managing key pests and diseases on potato farms have an opportunity to listen to leading experts at a Potato Industry Research and Development (R&D) Forum in Melbourne this week.

Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Ready Meals Pty Ltd (Ready Meals), a frozen potato processor in Australia.

Potato cyst nematodes (PCN) are quarantine soilborne pests that damage potatoes around the world, stunting plants and reducing yields.

Researchers from Australia, Germany, Switzerland and the US have quantified the effect of climate extremes, such as droughts or heatwaves, on the yield variability of staple crops around the world.

Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. announced today that it has acquired Marvel Packers Pty Ltd , a frozen potato processor in Australia. Marvel operates frozen potato processing and storage facilities (for frozen product) in Hallam, Victoria.

Food processing and packaging equipment manufacturer tna has officially opened a brand new, state-of-the-art Australian manufacturing site to support the global demand for its high performance food packaging solutions.

With the new Shake Shake range McCain Foods Australia takes hot potato chips from the side of the plate to the centre of attention.

​More than 300 seed potato farmers across South Australia and Victoria will be celebrating after last week's breakthrough in securing new market access to Indonesia.

As a result of the upgrade and capacity expansion of the McCain Foods French fry factory in Ballarat, the level of automation will increase. This means the company will have to lay off about 20 of their employees.

McCain Foods Australia has announced a AU$57 million investment to revitalise its potato processing plant in Ballarat, which is expected to create 100 construction jobs and increase production by 25 per cent.

For almost 50 years, Bernie White has grown potatoes in the rich, red, volcanic soil of Trentham, the traditional potato patch in Victoria, Australia. Now he doesn't know if his farm has a future.

McCain Foods Australia has announced a new contract agreement with cold storage provider, NewCold as part of an ongoing effort to improve supply chain efficiencies.

Potato Farmer Peter Scott from the Otways region in Victoria, Australia expects to make up to a million packages of purple potato chips this year.

Potatoes Victoria is being launched today to replace the previous Victorian Potato Growers Council. A division of the Victorian Farmers Federation, Potatoes Victoria has been representing Victorian potato growers for more than 20 years.

Australian potato growers are being reminded to prepare for late blight, a potato disease that strikes when conditions are humid, stagnant and warm.

Australian potato breeders Peter and Sandra Scott believe they bred the purple potato with the ideal colour and taste

Potatoes are becoming more appealing to Australia’s innovative home chefs ('Eager Explorers') who are searching for the next exciting food trend, according to new consumer research.

UK chip brand, Tyrrells Potato Crisps Ltd, has acquired the Australian company Yarra Valley Snack Foods, producer of the Thomas Chipman Organic Chips range.