Potato News from Africa

April 27, 2014

Sack Potato Farming in Zimbabwe expanding

Sack potato farming continues to make headway in Zimbabwe.

April 24, 2014

Potato chip manufacturer Harbin's Food wants Nigerians to buy local

Michael Aguzie, CEO of Nigerian chips and snack food company Harbin’s Food, is looking to penetrate the flavoured potato chip market in Nigeria, which mostly consists of imports.

March 09, 2014

Kenyan Potato Processor Midlands Limited adds value...also to the farmgate

Kenyan potato factory Midlands limited not only adds value at the processing level but also from the farm gate. It provides land in case one has none, cultivates and offers advisory services during planting, dressing and harvesting

January 25, 2014

Experts call for more investment in Rwanda potato production and storage

The private sector has been urged to invest in Rwanda's Irish potato production so as to address the shortage and help prevent price fluctuations.

December 17, 2013

Mass food production fuels growth in the US$4 billion Middle East & African flexible packaging market

A new report from PCI Films Consulting forecasts that flexible packaging demand in the Middle East and Africa will grow by around 5% p.a. over the next five years as confidence in the region’s growing economy encourages inward investment and greater em...

November 30, 2013

Zimbabwe successfully growing potatoes in sacks

A revolutionarised way of growing potatoes in sacks is set to significantly transform the lives of women and the youth from Harare South in Zimbabwe who have embraced this method in a big way.

November 30, 2013

Four new Dutch potato varieties cleared by Kenyan government

Under a bilateral deal with lead potato seed producer the Netherlands, the government has cleared four new potato seed varieties for use by local farmers.

Tolsma grisnich group kisima farm project

November 04, 2013

Tolsma-Grisnich Group constructs modern seed potato storage in Kenya

The recently published LEI/WUR report ‘The value chain for seed and ware potatoes in Kenya’ emphasises the importance of conditioned storage for the continuous availability of certified seed potatoes.

McCain Foods South Africa Foodservice website

October 30, 2013

McCain Foods South Africa launches new website to serve the Food Service industry

In response to the need in the South African foodservice industry for a source of online business information that is convenient, credible, reliable and on-trend, McCain Foods (SA) Foodservice Division has launched a brand new website.

Freshly dug up potato plant Ethiopia (Wageningen UR)

October 23, 2013

Ethiopia's poor turn to potatoes in quest for food security

Dessie Zuria is one of the most critically food insecure districts in Ethiopia. High altitude forced farmers to grow a single staple – barley. However, the previously unknown potato is helping to transform the lives of thousands of the poorest farmers.

September 30, 2013

Sweet potato starch plant planned in Kenya

A Kenyan investor based in the US wants to construct an ultra-modern sweet potato processing factory in Homa Bay. Consolata Bryant met Governor Cyprian Awiti yesterday and agreed to work with the county government to build the factory.

September 30, 2013

Report: The value chain for seed and ware potatoes in Kenya

Potato in Kenya is an important food crop, second to maize. In 2011 the Dutch and Kenyan government agreed to support an initiative to support seed potato development in Kenya in order to increase yields and enhance food security.

August 27, 2013

Uganda Farmers to benefit from potato processing machine

Farmers in the Kigezi sub-region will benefit from a Uganda Development Bank initiative that seeks to add value to their potatoes before they are put on the market.

August 20, 2013

Potato Farmers in Kenya Want Packaging Law Changed

During a recent meeting of governors and county representatives from 14 counties in Nakuru (Kenya) on irish potato production, packaging and marketing, it was resolved that from January 2014, farmers should pack their produce in not more than 50kg bags.

August 20, 2013

West Africa: More Yield with better seed potatoes

Potatoes supply more calories than grain, many vitamins and minerals and are an important source of income for the growers in the rural areas of West Africa. Therefore the German development assistance initiates production of potatoes in areas of famine.

August 14, 2013

Zimbabwe: Outcry Over Imported Potatoes

The horticulture industry of Zimbabwe is calling for higher import tariffs on imported horticulture products to avert the collapse of the local industry.

August 06, 2013

South-Africa meets first Dewulf potato harvester

Dewulf, specialist in harvesting technology of potatoes and carrots, introduced its first potato harvester in South-Africa earlier this year.

July 31, 2013

Frozen Potato Chips (French Fries) trade war between South Africa and the European Union

South Africa and the European Union (EU) are headed for another bruising dispute over trade access. At issue this time around are frozen potato chips (frozen french fries) from the EU.