Potato News from Oceania

February 27, 2013

Simplot director new chair for Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) Board

The Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) Board has elected a new chair. Terry O’Brien, Managing Director of Simplot Australia, has been elected by the Board following the resignation of John Doumani.

February 26, 2013

Victorian Potato Growers to enjoy Field Day showcasing industry R&D

Cutting edge DNA testing technology, novel approaches to pest and disease management, and exciting new plant nutrition applications – these are amongst the latest Research and Development (R&D) activities that will be presented at the Field Day on ...

February 17, 2013

Heartland Potato Chips owners (New Zealand) tour the US

A $15,000 travel grant from the Lincoln University Foundation has proved of real benefit to the farming and potato chips business of New Zealand couple Ray and Adrianne Bowan, who won the 2011 Lincoln University Foundation South Island Farmer of the Ye...

February 05, 2013

McCain Foods finalizes acquisition of the Kitchens of Sara Lee (Australia)

McCain Foods today announced it has completed the acquisition of Kitchens of Sara Lee (KOSL) Australia from Hillshire Brands, boosting its consumer offering. The transaction, initiated on December 18, is valued at A$82M.

February 01, 2013

‘All-star’ team to grow awareness of Australian potato industry research at upcoming Victorian Field Day

Leading industry researchers will team-up with local Victorian agronomists at a Field Day event next month, to help raise awareness amongst potato growers and processors about key research and development (R&D) activities currently being undertaken...

January 31, 2013

Pressure on West Australian potato growers to meet retail standards

Potato growers across the Warren Blackwood have revealed their struggle to meet standards set by retail giants Coles and Woolworths.

January 15, 2013

Push for fresh potato marketing in Australia

A drop in fresh potato consumption across the country has prompted the state industry body to call for a national promotional campaign to help boost sales.

January 14, 2013

Space-saving vacuum fryer minimizes acrylamide formation in savory snacks

Equipment manufacturer Heat and Control presents the savory snack industry with a new version of the vacuum fryer. They call it the Unitized Vacuum Fryer (UVF)

December 19, 2012

McCain Foods to acquire Kitchens of Sara Lee (Australia) from Hillshire Brands

McCain Foods (Aust) Pty. Ltd. today announced that it has signed a Share Purchase Agreement to acquire 100% of the shares of the Kitchens of Sara Lee (KOSL) frozen bakery business based in Australia and New Zealand from Hillshire Brands.

December 17, 2012

AUSVEG Potato R&D Program well received

Members of the Australian potato industry have shown strong support for the AUSVEG Potato Industry Extension Program over its first 12 months, with research and development (R&D) workshops held as part of the program proving a hit with both potato ...

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission

December 14, 2012

Australia: ACCC allows collective bargaining for potato growers but says no to seed price recommendations

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has authorised the South East Potato Growers Association and the Victorian Potato Growers Council and their members to collectively bargain with potato buyers.

John Brent re-elected as AUSVEG Chairman

November 22, 2012

AUSVEG Chairman, Deputy Chair and Audit Chair re-elected

Queensland vegetable grower Mr John Brent has been re-elected unopposed to the position of AUSVEG Chairman following a Board meeting held on Monday 19 November in Melbourne. At the Annual General Meeting (AGM), held on the same day, Mr Brent was also...

November 12, 2012

First South Australian baby potatoes go for a good price

At the inaugural auction of new season baby potatoes recently, bidding reached an impressive $3000. This was for 15kgs so that means the potatoes actually sold for $200,000 per tonne! Mr Tom Penna of Elders transferred his highly regarded auctioneering...

November 06, 2012

ACCC proposes to allow collective bargaining for potato growers

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission proposes to authorise the South East Potato Growers Association and the Victorian Potato Growers Council and their members to collectively bargain with potato buyers.

October 30, 2012

McCain Foods New Zealand had a good year.

Frozen foods company McCain Foods New Zealand boosted profit by 27 per cent to $11.4 million for the year ending June, helped along by stronger sales during the Rugby World Cup.

October 24, 2012

AUSVEG reports on Senate Inquiry into import concerns New Zealand potatoes

AUSVEG CEO Richard Mulcahy today said that an Inquiry held this morning by the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee is validation of concerns raised by AUSVEG about the biosecurity risks to the Australian potato industry of fresh p...

October 18, 2012

Harvest time for 'baby potatoes' in South 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.

October 18, 2012

Western Australian seed potato growers to reap benefits from research event in the field

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 ...