
Australia: Simplot and Tasmanian spud farmers in standoff over rising prices
Farmers have rejected a second price offer made by food manufacturer Simplot for their potato crop this season.
Farmers have rejected a second price offer made by food manufacturer Simplot for their potato crop this season.
Despite the rise in production of various other horticultural crops, onion, potato and tomato farmers suffered drop in prices last year.
Farm manager Simon Day is taking big strides in growing potatoes more sustainably and cutting their carbon footprint by widening his rotation, reducing costly cultivations and introducing cover crops to add organic matter.
The definite agricultural figures for 2021 show a concerning decline in the production of the nation’s favorite root vegetable: potatoes.
An early season and the threat of secondary growth means potato growers should check crops now for tuber sizing and be prepared to apply maleic hydrazide two weeks earlier than normal.
The potato sector in Algeria is considered to be a strategic crop for the economic development, many levers have been put in place in recent years to increase yield levels, which have been quadrupled to 5 million tons.
The potato is not well suited to the extreme temperatures or flooding brought on by climate change.
The total area of potatoes in the four North-West European countries (Germany, Belgium, France and the Netherlands) is expected to increase on average by 2% in 2022 to reach 507,300 hectares (+10,100 hectares).