Potato production Prince Edward Island grows almost five per cent

Prince Edward Island potato production has grown by almost five per cent this year following a good growing year and successful harvest.

It’s the third year in a row for increased production and the 2014 crop boasts a bounty of more than 100 million pounds.

“Much of the production is needed to fill increased contract volumes of processing potatoes,’’ explained Bear River farmer Kevin MacIsaac, general manager of the United Potato Growers of Canada.

Growers planted an additional 1,500 acres in 2014 rounding out 90,200 acres in potatoes. They also harvested, due to good fall weather, the bulk of the crop leaving only 300 acres in the ground due to wet fields.

In 2013,Prince Edward Island potato production increased by 5.1 per cent.