Potato Review

www.potatoreview.com POTATO REVIEW MARCH/APRIL 2023 5 NEWS 6% drop in world production THE world’s potato production decreased by 6% in 2022, according to latest figures published by the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). While the figures are provisional pending specific data, early indications show that unfavourable weather conditions and a decrease in planted area has led to global production dropping to 354.3 million tons. This follows a record production year in 2021, when the world produced 376.1 million tons of potatoes and the area devoted to growing increased by 7.4% to 18 million hectares, the highest level since 2013, according to the World Potato Markets report. The highest growth has been recorded in Asia, which increased its area by 15% to 10.3 million hectares, while European areas are estimated to have fallen by 3.5% to 4.3 million hectares. Yields fell in all major producing regions except Oceania. Asia continued to produce more than half of the world’s potatoes, with production increasing by 15.3% to 197.5 million tons. China produced 94.4 million tons and India 54.2 million. Europe is the second-largest producing area, with 102.5 million tons, i.e. 3.8% less than in the previous year. It is followed by Africa, with 28 million tons, a stable level. Seed Potato Organisation looking for growers to sign up THE Seed Potato Organisation (SPO), an independent Scottish co-operative for seed potato growers, is looking for new members to join. A number of meetings have been held in Scotland to discuss the merits of a successor body to the AHDB, a report in Grampian Online reveals. Organisers say the meetings revealed that seed growers were most interested in a body that specifically represented their own sector of the potato industry and felt this might be under-represented if a new over- arching national body is formed. The board of the SPO comprises nine seed potato growers, as well as Dr Philip Burgess (leader of scottishpotatoes.org and technical expert) and Patrick Hughes (SAOS Supply Chain and Export Specialist), and the organisation has identified four priorities for the the future. These are: Representing the views of growers; Funding agronomy research, innovation and services to benefit the seed sector; Supporting the development of seed potato markets; Ensuring the long term economic and environmental sustainability of the sector. Rodney Harrison, an Angus-based seed grower, is amongst those to join SPO. He told Grampian Online: “I joined because I feel our industry is at a crossroads. If we, as growers, sit back and do nothing, we could well find the industry su£ers, or worse disappears. Joining the SPO gives me a voice to help ensure this great industry stays relevant.” Jonnie Martin, a grower from the Black Isle and SPO Board member added that the UK seed potato sector has many strengths, but to protect and enhance its global reputation it needs a united and dynamic organisation that can work in partnership with both SASA and DEFRA to ensure an e§cient sector to produce a high quality seed product, one that can direct scientific research and one that can promote and further develop the health status of our seed industry at home and abroad. Processedmarket set to grow4.82%globally THE processed potatoes market is set to grow by 4.82% year-on-year from 2022 to 2023, with the increasing prominence of private-label brands driving growth, according to a new report. In 2017, the processed potatoes market was valued at USD 124.87 billion. North America held the largest market share, valued at USD 41.27 billion. The processed potatoes market size is estimated to grow by USD 41.71 billion from 2022 to 2027 at a CAGR of 5.2%, according to global technology research and advisory company, Technavio. Growing competition in the market is compelling vendors to adopt various growth strategies, such as entering into mergers and acquisitions to expand their business operations, says the Technavio report. Major drivers are the growing focus on expanding production capabilities for potato processing, the growth of organised retailing and the increasing prominence of private-label brands.