News on Potatoes for processing from Australia

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Tasmanian potatoes, representing the growers affected by McCain's proposed potato price reduction. (Courtesy: Pulse)
October 04, 2026
McCain Proposes to Cut Potato Prices for Tasmanian Growers by USD 10.4 per Tonne
McCain is proposing a USD 10.43 per tonne cut in Tasmanian processing potato prices. TasFarmers says grower committee talks have ended ahead of planting, while McCain says conversations with growers are continuing.
TasFarmers members and potato producers at the protest last year against Simplot
September 20, 2026
Tasmanian Potato Growers Sign Simplot Contracts With Average 2.5 Percent Price Cut
Most Tasmanian potato growers supplying Simplot have signed new contracts after TasFarmers reported an average 2.5 percent price cut, raising concerns over rising production costs and the long-term sustainability of the sector.
Tasmanian farmers and multinational chip manufacture Simplot are yet to reach a price agreement for the upcoming potato season. (ABC News
August 30, 2026
Simplot and Tasmanian Potato Growers Remain at Odds Over French Fry Contracts
Simplot and Tasmanian potato growers remain at odds over prices and supply terms, with growers also concerned about contract cuts and a planned 30,000-tonne reduction in potato volumes through the Ulverstone processing plant.
Farm Frites announces a AUD 300 million Dooen mega-facility — the company’s first Australian production plant, set to boost Asia-Pacific supply of premium fries.
November 13, 2025
Farm Frites Confirms its first Potato Processing Plant in Australia will be constructed in Wimmera, Victoria
Farm Frites has selected Dooen in Victoria as the site for its Australian potato processing plant. The plant will become Farm Frites Asia-Pacific manufacturing hub. The project has now received planning approval from the Victorian Government.
Agronico potato field in bloom (Variety Atlantic) in Tasmania, Australia
August 27, 2023
Simplot to acquire Agronico, Tasmania’s largest seed potato producer
Agronico, Tasmania’s largest seed potato producer, has entered into an agreement for Simplot to acquire the business and property assets of Agronico.
Tasmanian potato growers start ditching spuds after stalemate on price negotiations with Simplot. (Courtesy: ABC Rural, Laurissa Smith)
August 06, 2022
Tasmanian potato growers start ditching spuds after stalemate on price negotiations with potato processors
Potato processor Simplot Australia has refused to budge on its second price offer to Tasmanian farmers for their potato crop this season. Farmers met on Wednesday night to discuss the impasse with the company.
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Farmers are warning people need to pay more for their hot chips. (Courtesy: Hugh Hogan, ABC Rural)
July 18, 2022
Simplot and Potato farmers of Tasmania in standoff over rising prices
Farmers have rejected a second price offer made by food manufacturer Simplot for their potato crop this season.
Potatoes in Australia: mashing previous records.
February 16, 2022
Potatoes in Australia: mashing previous records
Developed by Freshlogic, the annual Horticulture Statistics Handbook includes the latest available data on 75 different categories across fruit, vegetable, nut, nursery, and cut flowers in Australia.
Nicole Stevens: A rising potato industry star.
October 27, 2021
Potatoes Australia Growers Profile: Nicole Stevens
Nicole Stevens traveled to Australia from the United Kingdom after completing her science and tourism management studies. Her career pathway has now diverted to horticulture.
Stuart Applebee, Esandsea Farming owner/operator, Jacob Clarke, 2021 Young Potato Grower works for Esandsea Farming, and Wayne Meagher, Simplot Ulverstone Field Officer.
September 27, 2021
Potato Processor Simplot Recognizes Outstanding Tasmanian Growers
Potato and vegetable growers have vied for the title of top producers as part of Simplot's Annual Grower Awards. The Awards, which have been in place since 1997, recognize the outstanding achievements of Tasmania's potato and vegetable growers during the 2020-2021 harvest.
McCain plant operator Rodney Smith at the new refrigerated Burnie potato storage facility, with 1000 tonnes of potatoes in a pile behind him. (Courtesy: Sandy Powell)
October 07, 2020
McCain Foods opens potato storage facility in Tasmania
A storage facility capable of storing 11,000 tonnes of potatoes has opened in Burnie, Tasmania. The facility, which can hold 9,000 tonnes in cold-storage long term as well as a further 2,000 tonnes in short term storage, is run by McCain.
Rain decimates Tasmanian potato crop; processors fear European spuds will be dumped on the Aussie market.(Courtesy: Trevor Hall)
May 18, 2020
Rain decimates Tasmanian potato crop; processors fear European spuds will be dumped on Aussie market
Tasmanian potato growers, who produce the bulk of Australia’s French fries, are having a disastrous harvest. Months of wet weather is making it impossible to get onto paddocks in parts of the state.
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Potato growers for McCain Foods in Tasmania gain price increase.
September 10, 2019
Tasmanian McCain potato growers gain price increase
A long-awaited price increase has come for the state's McCain potato growers. Grower Beau Gooch said the $33 per tonne increase would help put profitability back in the paddock.
Nathan Richardson, Chairperson of the Tasmanian Farmers & Graziers Association (TFGA) Vegetable Council.
August 28, 2019
Tasmanian Potato Farmers accepted Simplot's latest price offer
More than 80 potato growers in Tasmania, Australia felt a sense of relief when receiving Simplot's second offer for their processing potatoes, says Nathan Richardson, chairperson of the Tasmanian Farmers & Graziers Association (TFGA) Vegetable Council.
Peter Scott branded the purple potato chips DK's Purple Potato Chips, named after his late farmer father, David Keith (DK) Scott.
January 15, 2017
DK Potatoes Purple Potato Chips get rave reviews
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.
From the archive
Scottsdale farmers Jerrod and Susan Nichols want to plant their crops but are in a standoff with McCain over prices
(Courtesy: ABC Rural)
August 31, 2016
Tasmanian growers urge McCain Foods to raise potato prices 10 per cent
Scottsdale farmers Jerrod and Susan Nichols are preparing to plant their 2016 spring crops, but say processing potatoes for McCain would not be in the mix unless prices lifted.
From the archive
Simplot agreed to take surplus potatoes in Tasmania
July 06, 2015
Simplot agreed to take surplus potatoes in Tasmania
This season, potato processor Simplot agreed to take surplus potatoes in Tasmania.
From the archive
July 06, 2012
Australian potato growers fear disease coming in from New Zealand
Australia's national vegetable grower group Ausveg says import controls being recommended by Biosecurity Australia fail to protect Australia's potato industry from the threat of disease.
From the archive

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