Potato News from Asia

November 03, 2013

Price rise in India triggers potato smuggling from West-Bengal

Since potato prices in West Bengal are fixed by state government, smuggling of potatoes to surrounding Indian states that do not have fixed potato prices has become a major issue.

November 02, 2013

West Bengal Potato traders on 3-day strike

West Bengal state government today started selling potato at Rs 13 a kilo, a price pegged by chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, on a day potato traders in Bengal began a 3-day strike to protest the administration’s ban on selling the tuber to other states.

October 30, 2013

Almost 25% of potato yield in India is under jeopardy

Despite well distributed rainfall in the monsoon, West Bengal, one of the most important potato growing zones in India, is likely to have major down fall in potato yield in next crop season. Courtesy- prevailing post monsoon meteorological disturbances.

October 25, 2013

Potato prices almost doubled in most parts of India over past one week

Potato prices have almost doubled in most parts of India over the past one week. While most states are yet to take steps to check the spike in prices, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has called a meeting on October 30 to review the situation.

October 09, 2013

Potato processing plant in Kyrgyzstan's Issyk-Kul region to produce potato flour, starch

Kyrgystan's new agency Akipress reports that a potato processing plant in Issyk-Kul region will produce potato flour and starch initially, referring to a report of the Economy Ministry.

October 09, 2013

United States Potato Board Tests the Waters in Emerging Market of Burma

Food industry buyers and professionals in Burma received their first taste of U.S. frozen and dehydrated potato products with the United States Potato Board’s (USPB) participation in the U.S. Food &Beverage Agent Show.

October 08, 2013

PepsiCo no longer interested in a piece of Balaji Wafers?

Food &beverages giant PepsiCo India is believed to have backed out of the race to buy a stake in Rajkot-based Balaji Wafers.

October 06, 2013

New Zealand funds potato grading and sorting machine in Afghanistan

A potato grading and sorting machine has been set up in Bamyan, which is the main supplier of potatoes to Afghanistan’s population.

October 01, 2013

Bangladesh exports less potatoes

Bangladesh potato export in the first two quarters until June 2013 fell by 33 per cent compared to the same period of the previous year.

September 11, 2013

European Union agrees to import potatoes from Lebanon

The European Union has granted Lebanon the right to export 50,000 tons of potatoes, reversing a decadelong export prohibition, the Lebanese Agriculture Ministry said Monday.

September 08, 2013

Competition board fines Frito Lay 18 million liras in Turkey

Snacks maker Frito Lay has been fined almost 18 million Turkish Liras (8.8 million USD) by Turkey’s competition board over single-product loyalty discount allegations.

September 05, 2013

Bangladesh produces a record 8.6 million tons of potatoes in FY 2013

Potato production in Bangladesh in fiscal year (FY) 2012-13 hit a new record of 8.603 million tonnes surpassing the past record of 8.38 million tonnes in FY'11.

August 28, 2013

CPRI develops potatoes resistant to cold-induced sweetening

The Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI) in Shimla, India's premier potato research institute, has evolved a new technology to prevent conversion of starch into glucose in low temperature conditions, like cold storages.

August 25, 2013

Farmers throw excess potatoes on roads in Kannauj

Farmers from Kannauj and neighbouring areas have been throwing potatoes on the roads here, after a super bumper crop led to huge excess of supply over demand.

August 21, 2013

PepsiCo said to be exploring offer for Balaji Wafers

PepsiCo Inc., the world’s largest snack-food maker, is among suitors exploring a bid for India’s Balaji Wafers Pvt as it pushes to sell more chips in developing countries, said two people familiar with the matter.

August 19, 2013

Balaji Wafers in talks with private equity funds Blackstone, Actis

Indian snack maker Balaji Wafers is in separate talks with private-equity funds, including Blackstone Group and Actis, to raise between $100 million and $125 million.

August 18, 2013

SI Solutions proposes Potato Processing unit in Uttar Pradesh

SI Solutions has said it is interested in setting up a potato processing unit in Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh and requested land for it.

August 14, 2013

Vikas Mittal, MD McCain Foods India on Frozen Foods in India

McCain Foods India Pvt. Ltd is having a strong India presence in frozen and ready-to-cook foods. Vikas Mittal, MD, McCain Foods India and subcontinent region, in a conversation with Ashwani Maindola, talks about the company’s India presence.