News on The Potato Supply Chain from Oceania

A woman has been taken to hospital with respiratory problems following a large fire at McCain Foods' potato stores in Timaru this morning. Flames, reportedly 20m high, were seen rolling out of one of four empty potato storage sheds. Thick, black an...

In a report published today, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has shown that intake of trans fatty acids (TFAs) from manufactured sources has declined in the Australian and New Zealand population by 25-40% since 2007. FSANZ Chief Scientist...

Ballarat region potato farmers have slashed the amount of seed they will sow this week because of a drop in demand. McCain Foods (Australia) has reduced the quota it will take from growers after next year's harvest and will pay them about $35 less pe...

The full effect of tomato and potato psyllids, a plant disease that damages potato and tomato plants is beginning to be understood and the news is not good.Potato growers around Hawke’s Bay abandoned hectares of failed crops this year, not bothering t...

A new strain of bacterial potato wilt has reduced interstate markets for some Far North Queensland growers. The disease, which has been found in small patches at Tolga and on parts of the Atherton Tablelands, will prevent growers within a 20-kilometr...

Tasmania produces an extensive range of fresh and processed vegetables. As the highest value vegetable produced in the state, the potato is considered the backbone of the Tasmanian vegetable industry. With a farmgate value of $82.5 million, the potato...

About 230 growers will be paid AUS$310-330 per tonne. That is $6 less per tonne of Russet Burbank potatoes and $9 less per tonne of other varieties. Grower Nathan Richardson is glad to finalise a deal and says Simplot has agreed to buy any potatoes ...

FSANZ says the majority of Australian adults are not exceeding its recommended maximum daily salt intake, following media reports that claim some Australians could be consuming 40g of salt a day – almost seven times the recommended max.Salt (sodium chl...

"We really don't know much about it. It is a very new pest here."Terry Olsen - Horticulture New Zealand's Potato Group chairman on the potato psyllid.The jury is still out on the impact the pest, the potato psyllid, will have on crop yields.T...

Thousands of tonnes of Tasmanian potatoes may have to be dumped, because of falling demand for potato chips (french fries).Potatoes are being harvested now, but vegetable processor Simplot has told farmers it's oversupplied, and can't buy their surplus...

The humble spud is on a roll. After years of languishing behind the greens on the back of the dinner plate, it shouldered its way into the candlelight last year when the United Nations designated 2008 the year of the potato. Now, just a few months in...

New Zealand potato breeder Plant and Food Research has added a new attractive purple skinned variety to its range, which may have added health benefits. With a vivid purple skin and distinctive speckled purple flesh inside, Purple Heart was one of 16 c...

The official Closing ceremonies of the 7th World Potato Congress (WPC) at Christchurch, New Zealand, were highlighted by the presentation of the triennial Industry Awards. The awards recognize outstanding personal contribution and leadership, related ...

The chair of the World Potato Congress, being held in New Zealand, says producers will need to be ready to meet increased international demand and New Zealand in particular has room to do so.The seventh congress opened in Chirstchurch on Monday - the f...

The South Australian Potato Company says heat damage has left half of its crops with some level of damage. The company's business development coordinator, Julian Carbone, says white variety colliban suffered the most damage. He says the company has lo...

Caviar and champagne might be out, but the humble potato is reigning supreme in the recession. Sales of seed-potatoes have sky rocketed and a major distributor predicts demand from gardeners will be up 30 per cent for the coming season. At Fairfields ...

Tasmanian potato farmers are frustrated the vegetable processor Simplot has had to import potatoes [French Fries]from the United States to fill a shortfall caused by the drought. Simplot's Ulverstone plant in the state's north-west is operating 40,00...

McCain Foods says it might have to rely on other sources for its potatoes this season, after last week's heatwave ruined many of the crops near Ballarat.Most potato growers in the region sell their produce to the Ballarat-based frozen food company.The ...