Potato News from Australia

Claims New Zealand potatoes do not pose a “substantive risk” to the Australian industry have been slammed as irresponsible and reckless by AUSVEG.

Australian Potato shoppers are spitting chips over the rising cost of washed potatoes amid reduced ­supplies.

AUSVEG, will host a series of potato research and development (R&D) workshops in South Australia this month, as part of activities arranged for the Potato Industry Extension Program.

McCain Foods agriculture director John Jackson in Australia has admitted the company’s relationship with the region’s potato growers has been damaged in recent years.

Recent research has linked the rise of fussy fruit and vegetable eaters in Western society to the population’s increased development of allergic asthma over the past 50 years.

Potatoes South Australia Incorporated, the peak industry body for the potato industry value chain, has been awarded funding of AU$409,800 (excl GST) through the Federal Department of Agriculture’s National Landcare Innovation Grants for a two year project which will help develop a more reliable soil Phosphorus test.

Simplot processing potato farmers in Tasmania have accepted a $10 per tonne price cut for crops deliverable in 2014.

Owners of an old carpet factory in Devonport (Tasmania) have held informal talks with the Devonport City Council about a conversion to a potato processing factory.

South Australian Potato producers have called for fair freight arrangements following the closure of McCain Foods' Penola plant.

Australian minister for the Environment, the Hon. Greg Hunt MP, has launched the new EnviroVeg smartphone app for farmers, to help them manage their land sustainably.

A new study of 741 consumers released by the Australian vegetable industry today reveals almost one third of consumers have shown significant interest in buying more Asian vegetables.

Today’s reports that Simplot’s two vegetable processing plants at Bathurst and Devonport will remain open for at least another three years has been welcomed by peak industry body, AUSVEG.

Farmer Terry Buckley says he is sad to see the local Penola plant close, but he hopes the Ballarat plant might save the Australian potato processing industry, which is being outpriced by cheaper imports.

McCain Foods has announced it will close its potato processing factory in Penola, South Australia.

The Potato Marketing Corporation of Western Australia has started a campaign to increase the consumption of fresh potatoes.

Tasmanian potato growers supplying McCain Foods have accepted a price rise for their current crop.

After months of failed negotiations culminating in a week of protests and a blockade of the McCain Foods factory in Ballarat, potato growers and the food manufacturer have come to an agreement.

Ballarat region potato growers and McCain Foods have reached an agreement a short time ago, offering growers about $305 a tonne for their potatoes. The Ballarat McCain Growers Group met with the company this afternoon for further negotiations.