Potato growers ‘must target processing’
“Almost 100,000 tonnes of processed potatoes are now coming into this country each year, and there is an onus on us to capture as much of this market as possible,” he said.
Mr Maher said over 50% of British potatoes now go into the processing sector. In Ireland, the figure is nearer 10%.
“If we are to put a floor under our struggling potato industry we need to follow the British lead,” he said.
Mr Maher said potato farmers need to grow suitable varieties for the production of high quality frozen chips.
Mr Maher said the Irish potato trade is in an oversupply for the second season in a row, despite 68 farmers giving up the business in 2004.
“It is important that growers diversify into growing potatoes suitable for processing,” he said.
Minister of State Brendan Smith, speaking at the IFA/Teagasc potato conference, said he has confidence in the future of the potato sector and its ability to make an important contribution to the national and rural economy.
Other positive developments in the sector include full traceability of the potato back to primary producers by means of an amendment to the 1984 Potato Growers and Packers Act and the proposed €100,000 potato promotion programme which will be launched when it gets EU approval.
Mr Smith said rationalisation is taking place within the industry, where 150 growers now produce 76% of the crop.
