News on The Potato Supply Chain from Australia

The start of the annual harvest highlights the success of the potato industry which is providing an economic bonanza in South Australia, becoming the success story of the state's $2.5 billion horticulture sector in the past decade.

Western Australian seed potato growers will today participate in a Field Walk event at the Vasse Research Station, located in the south west agricultural region of WA, to hear about current research into potato pests, diseases and viruses, and to take ...

A bitter feud over plans to import potatoes from New Zealand is escalating, with growers accusing Australia's biosecurity body of fudging the science and lacking the knowledge to prevent a major pest outbreak.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) of the Australian Government has released a new statement on October 4 regarding the heavily contested proposal (e.g. by AUSVEG) regarding import of potatoes from New Zealand

A Senate Inquiry into the importation of fresh potatoes from New Zealand has been praised by the Australian horticulture industry. Last week, Senators Colbeck, Xenophon, Nash, Madigan and McKenzie moved that the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transpor...

Furious Tasmanian farmers have warned that the state's potato industry faces ruin if New Zealand imports are allowed.

A cartoon portraying Australia's Prime Minister Julia Gillard and senior ministers as children playing a video game has been launched by the potato industry as part of its war to block imports of New Zealand potatoes.

The public debate between AUSVEG and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) in Australia continues, with AUSVEG querying DAFF’s decision to go ahead with plans in light of South Korea’s decision to suspend imports of US potatoes due to concerns over zebra chip disease.

Simplot Australia managing director Terry O'Brien has nominated a floor price Tasmanian potato farmers may have to accept to continue growing for the food processor. Speaking after the company announced the results of price negotiations with potato gr...

Simplot's Tasmanian processing potato prices have been cut by 11 per cent and contracts reduced by around 30,000 tonnes.

AUSVEG has “wrongly accused” the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) of basing quarantine conditions on outdated information, and of avoiding accountability, says DAFF.

Potatoes South Australia, the newly formed peak industry body for the South Australian Potato Industry, has appointed Robbie Davis to the role of Chief Executive Officer. “We’re delighted that Robbie is joining us,” the Chairman of the Board of Pota...

Potatoes New Zealand has welcomed an Australian Government draft report which is expected to open the door to the export of fresh potatoes for processing from New Zealand to Australia.

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.

French Fry manufacturer McCain Foods has been accused by the Victorian Farmers Federation of using 'bully-boy tactics' to push potato growers in Victoria and Tasmania to the financial brink.

McCain's decision to use cheap potato imports rather than Australian-grown product will have devastating effects on the entire industry, according to AUSVEG

A study of potato farming has found that it costs up to double the amount to grow spuds in Australia than it does overseas.

Supermarket chain Woolworths is in talks with McCain Foods for it to supply potatoes to a new line of frozen home-brand products.