Potato News from Australia

A recent study by Roy Morgan Research shows that potato chips are still Australia’s most popular snack food, with a third of Australians aged 14+ in the year to March 2013 buying the product in an average four-week period.

AUSVEG, the National Peak Industry Body for Australian vegetable and potato growers, has welcomed the Prime Minister's acknowledgement of the importance of investment in agribusiness as part of his announcement of an election to be held on 7 September.

Third generation farmer Andrew Combes is the only commercial potato grower south of Hobart (Tasmania, Australia). What's more, the 36-year-old is the new Rabobank Simplot Young Potato Grower of the year.

Food processor Simplot Australia has rejected the Star system for labelling healthy and unhealthy food.

The State Government of South Australia has awarded AU$43,500 to the Potato Industry for initiatives to make sure workers have skills to meet increasing production demands.

A multi-year research project, undertaken for the Australian potato industry, will come to fruition this month, with the launch of the project’s cutting-edge DNA soil testing service, which will help the industry to curb the impact of soil-borne diseases.

Several Tasmanian potato growers whose contracts were cancelled by McCain last year have rejected new contract offers from the company.

McCain Foods is bringing its new branding to Australia. The new branding, developed by brand agency BrandOpus, was first introduced in the United Kingdom and marked the first complete overhaul of the McCain logo in more than 50 years.

Simplot brand Birds Eye has channeled sports commentating in its latest television campaign for its Hot Chips range.

Potato growers In Australia have been forced to wait longer for the outcome from an inquiry of the Australian Senate into New Zealand potato imports after the report release date was further delayed.

Restructuring and corporate advisory firm McGrathNicol was yesterday appointed as receivers following Heard Phillips being appointed administrators of the company.

Australian frozen food company Birds Eye has launched two new potato chip ranges.

Biofumigation is being used in Tasmania to reduce vegetable cropping rotations and boost yields.

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.

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 ...

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.

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...

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