Australia: Plant closing to impact AU potato growers
Western Australian potato growers are shell-shocked after being informed the Smith’s Snackfood Company will close the doors on its Canning Vale crisp manufacturing plant next year.
About a dozen WA potato growers in Busselton, Myalup, Dandaragan, Gingin, Manjimup and Pemberton supply 12,000 tonnes of potatoes to the factory, which is worth about $5 million to growers each year.The closure follows a long-running debate about the future of the industry continuing to operate in a regulated market.
Wade DeCampo is the Manjimup Shire president.He supplies about 1,000 tonnes of potatoes to the company each year and has a contract to transport potatoes around the state to the Canning Vale factory.DeCampo said it was another blow for the manufacturing industry, and ended a long history of local crisps produced and processed in WA.
The decision will have significant consequences for local growers, Cr DeCampo said."For some of them a complete change or a new start, and for some others a look in the mirror and see what else they can do to top up their budgets. It’s a significant blow and we are still coming to terms with it. The shellshock is still ringing in our ears.
"Click here to read more at abc.net.au.
Fuente: http://www.freshplaza.com/article/146692/Plant-closing-to-impact-AU-potato-growers
