News on The Potato Supply Chain from Northern America

As shoppers stock up for the summer grilling season, new national sales data indicates US sales of fingerlings and smaller-sized gourmet varietal potatoes, both popular for backyard cookouts, remain on a solid, upward ascent.

Potatoes USA announces nominations are now open for new Board Members for the 2022-2025 term.

Against the backdrop of 20 successful years as Certis USA, the company today announced a brand change to Certis Biologicals.

The United Potato Growers of Canada (UPGC) provide an update on the potato planting in Canada (May 27, 2021). Seeding in Western Canada is winding up, while growers in the Atlantic region are in full planting mode.

A fire at Kitchen Farms destroyed several buildings at the family-owned business in Antrim County between Mancelona and Boyne Falls Monday. More than 20 fire departments from five counties responded to the fire that began at about 10:30 a.m.

Strong demand for potatoes and potato products and tight domestic supplies continues to drive increases in imports for the current (July – June) marketing year. For July 2020 – March 2021 total imports are up 9 percent, led by an 18% increase in chips and a 15 percent increase in dehydrated potatoes.

HZPC Americas announced that the company recently hired Jill Herold as a Key Account Manager. Jill brings over 18 years of experience in technical agronomy in potatoes, corn, soybean and other various crops, including several years focused on sustainability.

Potato growers in Wisconsin’s central sands region expect to wrap up planting soon. Jim Okray with Plover-based Okray Family Farms tells Brownfield planting has gone smooth this year compared to years past.

Potato acreage in Canada will not be officially reported until early July, so it is often helpful to take an early look at industry projections across the country. The analysis is more difficult this year as demand for potato products returns to pre-COVID levels.

Dave Holm was destined to work with potatoes. He was raised on a potato farm in southeast Idaho, where his dad and grandfather instilled in him a love of one of the world’s most important crops.

Potato sales for Q3 (January – March 2021) of Marketing Year 2021 have caught up to the changed buying habits that the pandemic brought about.

Groups encourage Mexico regulators to immediately begin the rulemaking process to allow for the importation of fresh U.S. potatoes throughout the country.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is extending deregulation to J.R. Simplot Company’s (Simplot) potato variety developed using genetic engineering, designated as Snowden Z6 (Z6 potato).

The Prince Edward Island Potato Board is excited to share with potato farmers and industry partners the launch of a new podcast, Spudchat.

The provincial government is taking applications for 'Requests for Proposals' for farmers interested in large-scale potato production at a number of newly-cleared farmland properties on the island.

Pepsico's Efforts are Estimated to Reduce At Least 3 Million Tons of Greenhouse Gas Emissions by the End of the Decade. PepsiCo's 'Positive Agriculture' Ambition Additionally Targets to Improve Livelihoods of Those in its Agricultural Supply Chain, and Sustainably Source 100% of its Key Ingredients.

The Boards of Directors of the Produce Marketing Association (PMA) and United Fresh Produce Association (United Fresh) will each host a member vote seeking consent in support of the resolution to combine and form a new association serving the global produce and floral industry.

A team effort led to Alberta being declared Potato Cyst Nematode (PCN) free – improving trade prospects for producers.