New Brunswick potato cash receipts grow 32%

New Brunswick farmers have raked in one of the highest revenue increases in the country this year over last, thanks to the potato industry, newly released figures state.

Higher prices for potatoes boosted farm cash receipt totals for New Brunswick in the first six months of 2009. Statistics Canada reports that New Brunswick was one of only four provinces to see provincial farm cash receipts grow in the first six months 2009, compared to the same period last year.

The province was second only to Prince Edward Island in percentage growth, with farm receipt figures 10.8 per cent higher or $25 million more than receipts for the first six months of 2008.

“The biggest thing contributing to the increase is potatoes,” Gail- Ann Breese of Statistics Canada’s agriculture division said.

“Potato prices all across Canada were a factor, because production was down last year in North America, both in the United States and Canada.”

The average price for potatoes during the first six months of 2009 has been 44 per cent above the price during the same period in 2008.

New Brunswick saw a 32 per cent growth in potato cash receipts.