News on The Potato Supply Chain from Oceania

Potatoes and other reportedly high-GI foods might not be the dietary villains that recent publicity, books and health-based programmes would claim them to be, a new University of Otago study suggests.

Another potato harvesting season has started this month on Fiji and will continue till the end of October. 142 farmers were engaged in planting 117 hectares and they will be harvesting about 760 tons for this year’s crop. Agriculture Director of Exte...

A major pest called the tomato potato psyllid, has cost the potato industry over a $120 million since its initial discovery in 2006, according to a new report from Potatoes New Zealand. Ron Gall, Business Manager for Potatoes New Zealand, presented th...

For farmers to link with markets, they need to learn not only to produce, but to “produce for the market” and a key starting point is for them to learn to view their farm as a business enterprise that needs to be managed for profit.

Los agricultores que quieran vincularse a los mercados necesitan aprender, no sólo a producir, sino a "producir para el mercado", y un punto clave de partida es que ellos vean a su finca como una empresa que necesita ser manejada con fines de...

Farmers in Western Australia's main potato growing region say they are worried next autumn's crop will fail without more winter rain. Growers in the south-west say they need a lot more water in their dams to ensure it lasts the summer. Manjimup growe...

In response to data that Australian imports of vegetables have tripled between 2000 and 2010 AUSVEG spokesperson Andrew White today warned this increase poses a threat to the Australian vegetable industry and the community.

Ballarat district potato growers have struck a new price deal with McCain Foods, months ahead of schedule. The growers will be paid an increase of $15 a tonne of potatoes for next year's crop.

With the Tasmanian potato harvest in full swing, the effects of the extremely wet winter and mild summer are being realised.

harvest It's proved a difficult summer for potato growers in South Australia, with high rainfall ruining their crop.

Some Western Australian potato growers feel they are not getting enough support from their marketing body Western Potatoes to help them get new varieties onto the market.

Potatoes New Zealand says the potato industry is struggling to deal with the tomato/potato psyllid, which spreads the damaging bacterium Liberibacter, and wants more help from the Government.

Tasmanian potato growers supplying McCain Foods have accepted a price rise for their current crop.

After months of failed negotiations culminating in a week of protests and a blockade of the McCain Foods factory in Ballarat, potato growers and the food manufacturer have come to an agreement.

Ballarat region potato growers and McCain Foods have reached an agreement a short time ago, offering growers about $305 a tonne for their potatoes. The Ballarat McCain Growers Group met with the company this afternoon for further negotiations.

Determined potato growers in Ballarat will take their protest to the next level after five hours of talks with McCain Foods senior management failed to reach a solution.

Potato growers are using 50 tractors to protest outside the McCain factory at Ballarat, in central Victoria, over contract negotiations.