Potato News from Australia

South Australia's Zerella Fresh this month committed to expanding the capacity of their potato washing and grading line. Zerella Fresh has again chosen to reinvest with Wyma Solutions for their post-harvest needs.

The recent finalization of a takeover of Thomas Foods International’s potato business and a spike in demand through the coronavirus pandemic has cemented Mitolo Group as Australia’s largest fresh spud producer.

Global food processing and packaging solutions specialist, tna, is launching an all-new virtual platform; tna Connects, to provide the food manufacturing community with a go-to destination for insight, innovation, and inspiration.

A taste of Bundaberg will be served around the country as Sweet Potatoes Australia partners with Edgell to launch their new Sweet Potato Fries .

A storage facility capable of storing 11,000 tonnes of potatoes has opened in Burnie, Tasmania. The facility, which can hold 9,000 tonnes in cold-storage long term as well as a further 2,000 tonnes in short term storage, is run by McCain.

The Pye Group's multi-million-dollar investment in its Parilla Premium Potatoes and Zerella Fresh brands will help feed growing demand for potatoes in Australia. It will inject an estimated AUD 42 million into the regional Mallee economy and create 40 new local jobs.

Following eight years at the helm of Potatoes South Australia, Robbie Davis will be stepping down from her role of Chief Executive at the end of 2020.

Pure Foods Tasmania Limited has agreed to buy the business and assets of Daly Potato Company Pty Ltd (DPC) for $1.8M with a mixture of cash and shares, subject to working capital adjustments.

It has been an exciting journey for tna over the last few years. From developing our very own manufacturing service line in Melbourne in the 80s, to making some key acquisitions that helped shape our entire offering, we have come a long way.

In Tasmania, Australia, McCain Foods has completed the upgrade of its Smithton plant. The capital invest included an expansion on its retail production and the installation of a new fryer and batter applicator.

AUSVEG has welcomed the announcement from Agriculture Minister David Littleproud that two key commitments are now realised under the Thailand-Australia Free Trade Agreement (TAFTA), which will improve market access for Australian potato exporters into the Thai market.

Productivity has been the watch-word of the food production industry for decades, with millions of dollars spent on finding new ways to get more done within the same time and input.

In the race to decarbonise the economy, industrial processing is a tough nut to crack given the amount of heat needed to process goods.

Tasmanian potato growers, who produce the bulk of Australia’s French fries, are having a disastrous harvest. Months of wet weather is making it impossible to get onto paddocks in parts of the state.

AUSVEG, the peak industry body for Australia’s vegetable and potato growers, has welcomed McDonald’s commitment to display the country of origin of the ingredients in their products.

Raj Singh joins the team as Group Aftermarket & Services Manager.

AUSVEG and the Produce Marketing Association of Australia – New
Zealand (PMA-ANZ) have decided to postpone Hort Connections 2020, which was
due to be held from 15-17 June 2020 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Four of the largest potato producers in Australia want to convert 100% of their potato waste into commercial benefit through their partnership with the Fight Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre (CRC).