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PotatoReporter Online.com - Online International Potato Newsletter
PotatoReporter Online.com - Online International Potato Newsletter

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PotatoReporter Online.com – Subscribe to Online International Potato Newsletter  
 
May 2009
 
 
PotatoReporter Online.com – Subscribe to Online International Potato Newsletter
From the Editor
Consumer Matters
Food
Processing
Storage
Trade
Crop Production
Crop Protection
Other News
Potato Europe 2009
 
   
From the Editor
Welcome to the latest issue of the PotatoReporter Online newsletter, Colleagues. The newsletter can also be viewed on our web site - please follow this link:

www.potatoreporteronline.com/newsletters.asp
.

PotatoEurope 2009 will be hosted in Emmeloord in the Netherlands from September 8 until the 10th. During the third week of April the potato variety demo site was planted where the field demonstrations will take place on the 9th and 10th. These fields will be used for variety demonstrations, as well as equipment demos and fertilizer trial plots. Photo and movie material are available on the website www.potatoeurope2009.com (on the Press page) - do not hesitate to take a peek!

Also have a look at the last section in this newsletter where news is available on the PotatoEurope Innovation Award nominations as well as the International Business Lounge.

All essential PotatoEurope 2009 information can also be found on the PotatoEurope 2009 web site: www.potatoeurope2009.com or get in touch with Paulien Hoftijzer (Project Manager) by telephone in the Netherlands: (GMT-5) +31 (0)30 6981800, or email: phoftijzer@agriprojects.nl.

With best wishes,
Lukie Pieterse
Editor
editor@potatoreporteronline.com


Consumer MattersConsumer Matters - PotatoReporter Online.com – Online International Potato Newsletter
In the News
 
 Potato Council reaching half of British primary school children with targeted potato campaign

In its regular marketing update report, Potato Council in the UK reported that more than half of all UK primary schools have planted seed potatoes for our Grow Your Own Potatoes campaign. "Education is a key part of our work. 12,500 primary schools have registered to take part in Grow Your Own Potatoes 2009, an amazing 375,000 children," Potato Council says on its web site.
Source:  Potato Council

Related Link
 
Research
 
 Research aims to give consumers richly colored potatoes

Across southern Idaho this year, University of Idaho agricultural researchers will be investigating the in-season, harvest, storage and packing processes that affect skin color and quality in specialty potatoes. They will examine the potentially positive or negative effects of growth regulators, in-season and post-harvest fungicides, harvest timing, disinfectants and storage conditions. Roy Navarre, a research geneticist with the USDA Agricultural Research Service at Prosser, Wash., will add a nutritional twist - studying the impacts of these factors on the healthful phytonutrients in potato skins.
Source:  Global Potato News

Related Link
  
FoodFood - PotatoReporter Online.com – Online International Potato Newsletter
In the News
 
 Barcel launches biodegradable metallic packaging for their potato chips

Barcel ( Mexico - Grupo Bimbo) has become the first company in the world to launch degradable metallic polypropylene packaging for its potato chips and other snack products. The packaging disintegrates within 3-5 years after the product's shelf life. Use will be gradually implemented on every Grupo Bimbo product at the global level, with degradable metallic packaging fully incorporated by the first quarter of 2011.
Source:  Cmgromania.ro

 
 Pringles are indeed potato crisps, UK judges said

A panel of eminent judges in the UK has decided that Pringles are similar to potato crisps - enabling the taxman to take a multimillion-pound bite of VAT. Three judges at the Court of Appeal were asked to decide whether Pringles are similar to potato crisps and made from the potato - and therefore liable for Value Added Tax. They said yes, Pringles are potato crisps...
Source:  Telegraph.co.uk

Related Link
 
Research
 
 Potatoes, onions can benefit from irradiation tech, says Pakistani scientist

Pakistan can increase more exports of potato and onion by taking maximum advantage of irradiation technology. Sindh Chairman of Agribusiness Support Fund (ASF), Mateen Siddiqui said food irradiation technology has great potential to increase the shelf life of washed potatoes.
Source:  Dailytimes.com.pk

Related Link
 
 Acrylamide in food does not up lung cancer risk

Consumption of foods containing acrylamide does not increase the risk of lung cancer in men, and in women, it may actually reduce the risk. Prior research has linked intake of acrylamide, formed in some starchy foods cooked at high temperatures, with various cancers but other studies have not found a link. The association, if any, with lung cancer was unclear, Dr. Janneke G. F. Hogervorst, from Maastricht University, the Netherlands, and colleagues note.
Source:  Reuters

Related Link
  
ProcessingProcessing - PotatoReporter Online.com – Online International Potato Newsletter
In the News
 
 Frito-Lay getting into the 'locally-made' act

Here's proof-positive that more shoppers must seriously want to know where their food comes from: Frito-Lay, the world's biggest snack-food maker, is getting into the 'locally-made act' with its new marketing campaign. With good reason. A national survey of restaurant chefs by the National Restaurant Association found "locally grown" food to be the hottest industry trend for 2009.
Source:  USA Today

Related Link
 
 Chips consumption on the rise in Africa, research falling behind

Organised fast food industry, hinged on the rise in consumption of potatoes - is doing booming business all over Africa. The industry is fueled by a rise in disposable income in Africa. “Quality and quantity of crop is poor and unpredictable in terms of supplies and hence processors are not encouraged to venture into this capital intensive business”, Paul Chege, a Nairobi-based processor says. Jackson Kabira, Director, National Potato Research Centre at the Kenya Agriculture Research Centre (KARI) says annual budget allocation for potato research is a mere Ksh100, 000 (US1=Ksh78).
Source:  Africasciencenews.org

Related Link
 
 France: Processing production picking up with steady demand

Output from processors during the season from July 2008 to end of March 2009 has reduced in volume by 1% compared with the previous similar period. However, production recently has increased with a consistent demand reported during May, according to information published in the latest Euro Potato report, issued by Potato Council Ltd in the UK.

Full Article
 
 Canadian company utilizes processing waste for bioplastic manufacturing

A company based in Canada specializes in the manufacturing of biodegradable resin for injection molding and the base material of this resin is the starch byproduct of the french-fry and potato processing industry. According to Ferdi Van Dongen, president of Solanyl Biopolymers Inc., "we use recovered starch from companies like Simplot that use a high volume of potatoes."
Source:  Cpheraldleader.com

Related Link
 
 Increase in US fry exports 'caught industry by surprise', says market analyst

The 1.8% increase in French Fry exports may have caught the industry by surprise, said the editor of North American Potato Market News, Bruce Huffaker, in the NAPMN newsletter of 20 May. "It does not seem to fit with the narrative that fryers are giving growers," Mr Huffaker says. However, it is possible that plans for 2009/10 call for a shift in frozen processing volume to Europe and Canada. Trade patterns seem to be erratic, with a large increase in sales to Japan, China, several Middle Eastern countries, and Guatemala.
Source:  North American Potato Market News

Full Article
 
Research
 
 The chip-processing potential of four potato cultivars in response to long-term cold storage and re-conditioning

The reconditioning potential of four potato cultivars (Diamant, Hermes, Lady Rosetta and Spunta) was evaluated in three years of crop production.
Source:  InterScience

Related Link
  
StorageStorage - PotatoReporter Online.com – Online International Potato Newsletter
In the News
 
 New book on potato storage management now available

This new publication on potato storage brings together the various postharvest considerations, including principles of storage, store design, potato handling, quality control, and store management. It describes the different technical methods of potato storage used worldwide, for example box, bag and bulk storage. The authors of the book are well known figures in the international potato industry: R T Pringle, Scottish Agricultural College, R C Clayton, Potato Council, and C F H Bishop, Writtle College in the UK.
Source:  CABI

Related Link
  
TradeTrade - PotatoReporter Online.com – Online International Potato Newsletter
In the News
 
 Dutch traders unable to maintain strong April prices

According to Potato Council's May issue of Euro Potato, price increases, due to strong interest from Belgian buyers during late April, failed to be maintained at the beginning of May. Growers became aware the end of season was approaching fast, particularly as the early arrival of the first 2009 crops looked likely, and offered increase supplies.
Source:  Euro Potato

Full Article
 
 United States Potato Board eyes Vietnamese market

John Toaspern, Vice President, International Marketing at the United States Potato Board (USPB), and Mike Pink, International Marketing Committee Member from Washington State, traveled to Vietnam, April 17 – 24. The purpose of the trip was to learn firsthand the potential for US potatoes and products in this emerging market.
Source:  US Potato Board

Related Link
 
 Trade dispute: 'Canada to replace US exports of frozen potatoes to Mexico'

Mexico recently raised tariffs on almost 90 American products, a retaliation for a U.S. decision to cancel access to Mexican truckers on U.S. highways despite the terms of a free trade agreement. Washington farmers exported $87 million in goods to Mexico last year, including frozen potatoes. Canadian potato growers are beginning to replace U.S. exports of frozen potatoes to Mexico, said Chris Voigt, executive director of the Washington Potato Commission.
Source:  Seattle Times

Related Link
  

New Page 1



Crop ProductionCrop Production - PotatoReporter Online.com – Online International Potato Newsletter
In the News
 
 German total crop area expected to be stable

German planted area in 2009 should be very similar to the last year, according to information published in the latest Euro Potato report by Potato Council in the UK. Only the estimates of Lower Saxony have been published in detail; they announce less than a one percent increase in area at 114.000 ha, against 113.700 ha in 2008. Lower Saxony is by far the largest producing region in Germany, and is regarded as representative of the country as a whole.
Source:  Euro Potato

Full Article
 
 Florida potato farmers suffer $45 million in damage from flooding

Potato farmers in Flagler and two other counties have sustained an estimated $45 million in damage because of flooding, an official said today. "The crop is in the middle of harvest season and many of the fields are under several feet of water ruining the potatoes,'' Carl Laundrie, a spokesman for Flagler County, said in a news release. "It is estimated that $45 million in damage (the amount invested not including profit loss) has been done to potato farmers in the tri-county growing area of Flagler, Putnam and St.Johns counties."
Source:  Orlandosentinel.com

Related Link
 
 Florida flooding could cause rise in potato prices

AccuWeather.com reported that heavy rainfall in Florida may impact the price of potato products. One may not typically think of Florida as a major producer of Potatoes. Most potatoes produced in the United States on an annual basis come from Idaho, North Dakota, Washington and Maine. However, one-third of the winter/spring potato production in the U.S. comes from Florida.
Source:  AgProfessional

Related Link
 
 The Netherlands: Crops ahead of average

An early finish to planting and good growing weather has pushed crops in Holland to progress to around 10 days ahead of last year, according to the latest Euro Potato Report by Potato Council Ltd. Plants have reportedly emerged and are looking well with good potential.
Source:  Euro Potato

Full Article
 
 Mallorca farmers nervous about rain

THE intense rainfall during the last few weeks has meant that what looked like being a good year for the potato harvest now has a very strong possibility of being a disastrous one.
Source:  Euroweeklynews.com

Related Link
 
 Potato pickle due to wet weather in Canada's Manitoba province

There is no doubt Manitoba has had a relatively wet spring, and with all that water, there exists the potential for delays in spring planting in this region. For instance, according to Tom Gonsalves, business development specialist for potatoes with Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives (MAFRI), all the moisture in the soil certainly has the potential to negatively affect potato crops.
Source:  Portagedailygraphic.com

Related Link
 
 Belgium: Planting increases, but mostly for early crop

According to Euro Potato, all planting in Belgium was completed early in May, although crop growth has made varied progress. Rain during early to mid May was very heavy in some regions, causing erosion of potato ridges. In some cases growers have been advised to re-ridge drills, and where pre emergence herbicide has been applied, to re-spray. Estimates of a 10% increase in planted area released in May caused some commotion in the Belgian industry. Opinion appears to indicate that earlies may be 10% higher but maincrop are likely to show around a 6% increase compared with 2008.

 
Research
 
 Root development model for potato management

Researchers in Europe determined potato root growth rate from data collected in the frame of the EU project FertOrgaNic from 2003 to 2005 in five experimental stations in Europe representative of most of the potato growing soil and climatic conditions. Proposed algorithms were implemented into the FertOrgaNic decision support system (DSS).
Source:  Actahort

Related Link
 
 Partial root zone drying sustains yield of potatoes at reduced water supply

Partial root zone drying (PRD) is a new water-saving irrigation strategy being tested in many crop species. Until now it has not been investigated in potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.). A field experiment on sandy soil in Denmark was conducted under a mobile rainout shelter in this regard. Contact: A. Shahnazari, aliponh@yahoo.com
Source:  Actahort

Related Link
  
Crop ProtectionCrop Protection - PotatoReporter Online.com – Online International Potato Newsletter
In the News
 
 Reduction in mancozeb raises alternaria risk in UK potatoes

A reduction in the amount of mancozeb in potato late blight fungicide programmes could see an increase in alternaria (early blight) in the crop, says Reuben Morris of Cropwise. The disease is becoming more prevalent partly due to higher temperatures, so growers need to adapt blight programmes, especially during the mid-season phase.
Source:  FWI

Related Link
 
 Potato virus strategy must start at emergence

EARLY catches of aphids in suction traps are a signal to seed potato growers that virus control programmes will need to begin at emergence this year. The first potato aphid of 2009 was caught in Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture’s (SASA) Edinburgh suction trap on April 18 – a month ahead of forecast.
Source:  Farmers Guardian

Related Link
 
Research
 
 Greenlandic potatoes: Naturally disease free due to beneficial soil bacteria?

During the week of May 18 2009 newspapers in Denmark and Greenland reported briefly on an interesting phenomenon found in Greenland - potatoes grown in that country have virtually none of the typical potato related disease problems associated with potato production in most other countries around the world. Prof Peter Stougaard, associate prof at the Dept of Agriculture and Ecology at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark is researching this phenomenon. Follow the link below to listen to an interview with him. Prof Stougaard would welcome inquiries for further information. He can be reached at psg@life.ku.dk

Related Link
 
 CSL scientist warns British seed growers against bacterial disease

Potato seed growers must continue to maintain strict security measures to avoid infection by the bacterial pathogen Dickeya dianthicola (formerly known as Erwinia chrysanthemi) warns CSL senior diagnostic bacteriologist John Elphinstone. Infection causes soft rots in seed and ware tubers and wilting of potato foliage, where it can sometimes be hard to differentiate from blackleg disease.
Source:  CSL

Related Link
  

New Page 1



Other NewsOther News - PotatoReporter Online.com – Online International Potato Newsletter
In the News
 
 Frito-Lay packs to find new life as totebags, notebooks

Frito-Lay North America, a division of PepsiCo, has announced a new partnership with TerraCycle, Inc. - an upcycling company - that will take used packaging from Frito-Lay snack products and turn them into affordable, quality goods. Through this joint program, consumers and local community groups can earn money by collecting the used packaging, and at the same time redirect packaging from landfills.
Source:  Packworld.com

Related Link
 
 British Potato Industry Award: No time like the present for industry award nominations

They say that as you get older events come more quickly. This is probably an illusion. But there is no illusion in the need for the industry to step up the pace in the task of putting forward the nominations for this year's British Potato Industry Award as these will close a month earlier than usual on June 30, 2009.
Source:  Global Potato News

Related Link
  
Potato Europe 2009Potato Europe 2009 - PotatoReporter Online.com – Online International Potato Newsletter
In the News
 
 PotatoEurope Innovation Award nominations now open!

All companies, institutes and organizations within the potato industry are invited to nominate themselves for this award. Several companies have already started competing to win the PotatoEurope Innovation Award!

Interested to register as well? Submit your innovation(s) as soon as possible to the organisation by completing the registration form - follow the link below.

A competent international jury consisting of experts from the potato industry will judge the innovations and announce the winner during PotatoEurope 2009.

Related Link
 
 Business Lounge news

The exhibition area will be completed by a business lounge set-up. This lounge set-up encourages networking between potato experts from around the world. Here visitors will have the opportunity to meet with industry representatives from, in particular, Russia, Northern Africa and China. Certain parts of the day will be dedicated to the defined regions.

The Business Lounge will also be available for rent in order to launch a new product, for product presentations or to give a workshop for approximately 50 persons. Further information from the organizers of PotatoEurope 2009 - please make contact with Paulien Hoftijzer (Project Manager) by telephone in the Netherlands: (GMT-5) +31 (0)30 6981800, or email: phoftijzer@agriprojects.nl.

  



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