Happy New Year – wishing everyone a safe and successful year of growing, processing and promoting New Zealand grown potatoes, chips, crisps and potato products. The year got off to a great start with the Field Walks and Grower Talk from John Sarup – more about that in the next newsletter.
Area Planted Survey
The 2017 Area Planted Survey returns are due now – please submit as soon as possible. You should have received the survey forms prior to Christmas. Any questions please use our contact form to email Justine Croft or call her on 0800 399 674.
Biosecurity Update
In late December Potatoes New Zealand signed a GIA operational agreement, becoming one of the first product groups to do so. So what exactly is GIA and why does it matter? A key part of this commitment is to share knowledge of pests and disease – Sector Risk Organisms (SROs). We therefore start 2018 with an article by John Fletcher (Plant & Food Research) discussing Potato virus S.
Export Statistics
2018 has started well for fresh potato exporters with weekly averages of 486 tonnes, earning $1,029 per tonne. Remember current and previous exports stats are available on the PNZ website.
- Fresh potato export report week 4, 2018
- Fresh potato export report week 3, 2018
- Fresh potato export report week 2, 2018
- Fresh potato export report week 1, 2018
- Processed potato export summary – November 2017
Research, Development & Extension Update
Jen Linton (Research Manager, FAR) provided a high-level update of current Potatoes NZ research projects, at the recent Grower Talks. Read the latest R&D update.
Field Walks were held in Pukekohe, Matamata, Somerton, Lauriston & Seadown in mid-January.
– download Field Walks notes.
Leadership & Development
– Horticulture NZ scholarships available now.
Markets – Chip Group Update
The great Kiwi mystery of just how big a scoop of chips is created a flurry of media interest. Chip Group Training & Education Manager Kate Underwood discussed scoop size and why it matters – radio interview – Stuff article – news article.
Markets – World Potato Markets
– Steady growth in Fry sales to Australia & Asian markets
Potato chat – read Niki Bezzant’s latest blogs all about potatoes…
– Beating the Aussies again
– Potatoes for Christmas
– Where have all the potatoes gone?
Seed Certification
Erratum – The Seed Potato Certification Rulebook & Seedlines document that was sent out in December erroneously labelled the seedlines as the 2018 harvest. The list is actually the approved seed lines for the 2017 harvest. Apologies for any confusion caused. Download the latest version.
Media Coverage
- Annabel Langbein’s tricks for perfect potatoes – NZ Herald
- What is the secret to the perfect hot chip? Radio Live
- Young entrepreneurs celebrate release of Heartland’s hangi-flavoured potato chip – Stuff
- Students come up with a maths formula for perfect roast potatoes – Stuff
- The great Kiwi mystery: just how big is a scoop of chips? – Stuff
- What’s healthier? Fish n Chips or Sweet & Sour Pork? – Stuff
- Man looses 50kg on potato-only diet – Newshub
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