In an effort to propel this upward trend into the New Year, Bayer CropScience launched its Potato Perspectives Survey during Potato Expo in San Antonio, Texas, Jan. 8-10, 2014.
Bayer CropScience collected insights from tradeshow attendees across the food chain to identify potato trends, opportunities and challenges as the industry prepares for the 2014 season.
Through its Potato Perspectives Survey, Bayer CropScience uncovered key issues and growth opportunities for the industry.
Key findings include:
- 48 percent of potato grower participants responded that early blight and white mold were the most difficult diseases to control during 2013.
- 63 percent of potato grower participants pinpointed the reduction of yield and quality loss due to insects and disease as a critical need to ensure a successful harvest this season; 37 percent of retailer participants identified solutions to enhance crop quality as a top necessity for the upcoming season; and 34 percent of other industry member participants cited the need for solutions to combat disease and pest resistance issues in the field as a key need in the New Year.
- 54 percent of retailer participants cited increased price of potato production and changes in import and export patterns as the most critical concern for the upcoming season, while 33 percent and 25 percent of other industry member participants considered crop loss due to pests or disease and changes in consumptions patterns, respectfully, the most challenging issues for 2014.
- 42 percent of grower participants, 35 percent of retailer participants and 46 percent of other industry member participants believed biotechnology may be able to expand production capabilities and crop yield for the potato market.
Bayer CropScience is passionate about working alongside potato growers, processors and retailers to provide effective answers to the market’s most challenging issues. With its growing portfolio of products for the potato market, Bayer CropScience delivers innovative solutions, such as Emesto® Silver seed-piece treatment, Serenade Soil® fungicide, Movento® insecticide and Luna® fungicide, that equip growers with the tools they need to protect and enrich their crop from planting to harvest.
To learn more about Bayer CropScience’s potato portfolio, please visit bayercropscience.us.
You can also follow and share with us on Twitter @Bayer4CropsUS or connect on the Bayer CropScience social media hub, Bayer Connect.
