Canadá: Overproduction concerns P.E.I potato growers
At the International Potato Expo last weekend, P.E.I potato farmers discussed the overproduction of potatoes, which is making it difficult for them to sell their crop.
“Overproduction is our biggest enemy, and until we have that straightened out, it’s going to be tough,” said Donald Godfrey, a P.E.I potato grower.
“We’re growing too many potatoes. There’s pressure on the market, they’re hard to sell and we’re not getting the prices we should be getting or the price we deserve.”
Until farmers can find a way to overcome the issue of overproduction, they need to look at farming different crops so they aren’t hurting as bad financially, he said.
His son, Robert, is the executive director of the P.E.I. Federation of Agriculture. He has remained optimistic though he knows there are some issues and challenges in the current market.
He said he has not heard too much negativity from the board and from the potato growers themselves, but everyone is aware of the pressures the industry is facing.
A large part of the problem is out of the farmers’ hands, he said.
That’s because the success of other potato producing regions directly affects how well the Island will do.
“Look at a place like Idaho. Idaho grows more potatoes in a run of a year than all of Canada combined. If they have a big year, we’re in trouble,” he said.
Fuente: http://www.freshplaza.com/article/154458/Overproduction-concerns-P.E.I-potato-growers
