Irlanda: Potato farmers in fear of pasta, rice and poor prices

Among the other major challenges to the sector listed were price, competition from imports and the loss of plant protection products.

These results came from a poll taken to gauge the feeling in the industry and see what challenges farmers are most concerned about going forward at the National Potato Conference on Tuesday, February 18, organised by the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA), Teagasc and Bórd Bia.

The results of the poll can be seen throughout the article below. It should be noted that attendees were allowed to pick more than one option when taking the poll.

Question: "What in your opinion is the biggest threat to the Irish potato industry into the future?"

Competition from carbohydrates such as pasta or rice – 49%;

Competition from imports – 17%;

Loss of plant protection products – 15%;

Supermarket domination of retail sales – 9%;

Over reliance on the variety Rooster – 6%;

Reliance on imported seed – 4%;

Brexit – 0%.

Finding a solution to the competition from pasta and 52% of attendees thought that more education was needed about nutrition, basic cooking skills and the value of potatoes in schools.

Click here to read the full article.