Potato News from Prince Edward Island

As the first day of fall arrives, the potato crop in Canada is in varying stages of growth and/or harvest. The United Potato Growers of Canada provide an update.

Cavendish Farms’ new Potato Research Centre in New Annan, Prince Edward Island officially opened on September 17, 2020 with a ribbon cutting with Dennis King, Premier of Prince Edward Island, and company officials.

Many potato fields across Prince Edward Island are not in the condition they usually are at this time of year due to the hot and dry conditions for much of July and August.

Crop sales in first half of 2020 topped CAD 200M despite COVID-19 pandemic. It has been on the wild side, but 2020 has started out well for Prince Edward Island farmers.

New potatoes are a veggie lover's early-summer dream — the tender little spuds, some around the size of golf balls, others the size of a crabapple, melt in your mouth when steamed, buttered and lightly seasoned. Heaven. And they're now popping up at roadside stands across P.E.I.

Romain Cools, President, and CEO of the World Potato Congress Inc. (WPC) announces the appointment of three new Directors to its Board effective July 1, 2020: Dr. Nigel Crump, Australia, and Mrs. Elven Huang, China, both former WPC International Advisors, and Mr. Bret Nedrow, USA.

COVID-19 has shaken the whole world-impacting society and the global economy similar to the effect of a world war.

'This will help to ensure no product is lost so that farmers are in a good position for the 2020 growing season'

Cavendish farms haven’t laid off any staff yet because of the coronavirus (COVID-19), but a spokeswoman for the company says short-term layoffs are expected.

COVID-19-related restaurant closures lead to ‘curtailment’ of french fry production. Cavendish Farms has advised the P.E.I. potato producers under contract to supply the company with spuds to 'sell to other markets if they can'.

More than $3 million is being invested in studying a major cause of potato yield reduction in Prince Edward Island and other spud-growing areas in Canada.

A growing number of Prince Edward Island potato farms are taking advantage of new technology to improve their use of crop protectants, including fungicides used to prevent late blight.

The International Potato Technology Expo and conference returns to the Eastlink Centre in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island next month, February 21 & 22. The event welcomes those who grow and package potatoes...

The International Potato Technology Expo returns to the Eastlink Centre in Charlottetown February 21-22, 2020. The event welcomes those who grow and package potatoes, as well as leading suppliers from across the Maritimes and beyond.

World Potato Congress recently announced that Greg Donald has joined its Board of Directors. Greg Donald has been the General Manager of the PEI Potato Board since 2009.

Greg Donald, general manager of the P.E.I. Potato Board, says he hopes potato fields will be able to absorb a lot of the moisture from Tuesday's rain. Island potato farmers are hoping Tuesday's heavy rain isn't a sign of things to come.

Researchers are working on new varieties of potatoes that they hope will help growers on P.E.I. cope with the effects of climate change. Some of the newest varieties were at the Agriculture Canada research station in Harrington, P.E.I.

Over the last two years, HZPC has built a new business development team for the North American market. Led by Mr. Jeff Scramlin, this team focuses efforts in the food service and retail sectors.