Potato Review

www.potatoreview.com POTATO REVIEW SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022 53 INTERNATIONAL NEWS Reduced seeded area in Canada STATISTICS Canada has released its first estimate of potato acreage in Canada based on data obtained from a survey of potato growers in the country. The 2022 potato acreage is estimated at 385,128 acres. This is almost flat compared to 2021 - only 242 acres more than last year. In 2021 acreage had seen a big increase over 2020, and even the pre- Covid year 2019, predominantly in the major processing provinces, bringing supply back to meet demand increases in the industry that began pre-Covid. However, as a result of significant rises in input costs, fertiliser and fuel predominantly, coupled with increased holding levels in some of the Eastern provinces, the country has seen a reduced seeded acreage in 2022. Pure and true DUTCH company Greydanus Aardappelgroothandel, which has been supplying a wide range of potatoes to supermarkets throughout Europe for more than 80 years, says a complete water purifying system for washing potatoes using purified water, is the key to its present day success as it gives potatoes a longer shelf life, as well as cutting down water usage. Before the products are packaged, they are washed using a water purification system from VAM WaterTech which purifies process water and reuses almost all of it. First the water runs through a sieve drum which removes coarse particles like twigs and leaves. It then flows to a cyclone which filters out the sand, before the lamella separator separates the water and sludge. Additives mean any germs stick to these smaller particles, which are then removed. From the clean-water tank, the purified water then flows back to the washing line for reuse. “We drain and collect the sludge and it goes to a nearby livestock farm. So it’s a completely closed system,” said Joint CEO Klaas Greydanus. ‘Natural’ potato storage gains popularity A NEW method of stowing potatoes that does not require freezing has come as a blessing for growers in Bangladesh’s northern districts, who are continually facing challenges following substantial yields and cold storage constraints. The new method allows them to sell stored potatoes over time instead of at throwaway prices just after harvests. Growers in the Rangpur and Nilphamari districts are using “natural” storages for potatoes grown in the region. On an average, the storehouses are about 25 feet long and 15 feet wide with roofs made of corrugated iron sheets while the floors and walls are comprised of bamboo slats to facilitate air flow. Herbs locally known as “biskutuli” are spread on the floors to protect the potatoes from pest infestations. About 30 tonnes to 32 tonnes of the tuber crop can be kept for up to four months without expense in each of these storage facilities. The country’s Department of Agricultural Marketing initiated a project to build 40 of these stores in the region between 2015 and 2018. Motivated by its success, the department has undertaken a new project to construct another 450 of these storages in diŸerent areas which is awaiting planning commission recommendations. Clampdown on legal breaches POTATO breeder HZPC is expecting to receive up to four million euros in fines resulting from legal breaches over the past few years, it has been revealed. The Dutch company stated in its annual report that varieties have been illegally used in China, and licences are overdue. Compostable cling wrap created from potato waste AN Australian company has developed a home-compostable cling wrap using potato waste. The company, called Great Wrap, was founded by husband and wife team Jordy and Julia Kay. They claim the product breaks down into carbon and water in fewer than 180 days. Investors include Groundswell Ventures, Springbank Collective, and Trail Mix Ventures. Their input will allow the company to set up a biorefinery with the capacity to manufacture 30,000 tons of wrap by the end of next year. If this target is achieved, Great Wrap will be Australia’s largest cling wrap manufacturer. Great Wrap is already available in Australia and will be launching in the US this month. The company plans to open a manufacturing facility in the country next year, adding to its two existing Australian facilities. Abundant harvest reported THE Syria Recovery Trust Fund (SRTF) announced an abundant potato harvest season this year under its agriculture project: Agricultural Support to Farmers in Northern Aleppo. Under this project, the SRTF-supported farmers were able to increase their cultivated lands by 2,085 dunums as a result of the availability of high-quality potato tubers provided by the SRTF. The result was a 10,000-11,000 MT potato harvest with a noted increase in potato production per hectare estimated at 50 MT. This reflected positively on local markets, securing the availability of potatoes at aŸordable prices. Other types of support provided under the project include agricultural machinery, fertilisers, pesticides and safe storage and handling of crops inputs. Moreover, staŸ salaries and training for enhancing IE internal capacity in terms of bookkeeping, filing, and other managerial and financial related services have been delivered. The support to the potato farmers is part of a EUR 2.4 million SRTF Agriculture project which promotes food security by supporting 1,500 self-managed, economically-viable crop farms that have access to local markets, suppliers, and relevant business service providers. Around 7,500 households will directly benefit from improved access to agricultural inputs from the project while indirectly, around 37,500 beneficiaries will benefit from the project.