Potato Review

62 POTATO REVIEW NOVEMBER 2021 INTERNATIONAL NEWS Sustainable, future-proof production visualised HOLLAND Innovative potato has visualised the research towards a more sustainable and future-proof potato production in a series of knowledge clips. In the videos, researchers explain how increased yields can be increased using less fertiliser and fossil fuels, and how yield losses can be limited with less pesticides and stronger varieties. These approaches will allow greater circularity in the global food system. Dutch potatoes, year-round? THE availability of potatoes in the Netherlands is continually being extended, thanks to variety development and improved storage facilities, a Dutch supplier recently revealed to Fresh Plaza. Michiel Meijering of Landjuweel, which washes, sorts, and packs potatoes for the retail and foodservice sectors, said: “We limit imports to Germany and avoid southern European production. And we’re increasingly successful in supplying Dutch products all year round. Along with our customers, we’re now setting a movement in motion. Its emphasis will lie even more on local produce. “You notice a genuine shift. Consumers have started evaluating potatoes di erently. The COVID-19 pandemic certainly contributed positively to that. It’s accelerated the move towards year-round Dutch potatoes. Demand for local produce has increased since last year. People want to eat more locally. they’re more aware of sustainability. That’s why we’re supplying Dutch potatoes for as long as possible this year.” Ware demand increases DEMAND for ware potatoes in Belgium has increased according to a local producer. Bart Nemegheer of De Aardappelhoeve, a specialist in the cultivation, storage, washing and packaging of table potatoes, said consumption increased by 8% last year, whereas previously, it had fallen 3% to 4% annually. Bart said it is important to highlight potatoes’ importance to younger generations, and he welcomes forthcoming marketing campaigns carrying this message as younger generations reject potatoes, believing they have an outdated image and complicated preparation methods. “The 60+ age group eats the most potatoes. The younger the people, the fewer potatoes they eat,” he said. Bart envisages smaller packaging sizes becoming more popular, which prevent food wastage because more and more people now buy what they need rather than stock up on potatoes at home. He said there is more demand for baby potatoes which are particularly popular with younger generations. The organic potatoes segment is also growing, he said. “However, with a 3% to 4% market share, there is still a long way to go. Organic production a ects prices. I’m sure the organic sector will grow but I don’t expect it to displace the fresh cultivation conventional sector,” said Bart. Bart said this season’s heavy rainfall is causing considerable phytophthora pressure. “It’s pricey to spray the pest-sensitive varieties continuously. It’s also di cult to carry out the treatments. That’s because the rain makes the fields di cult to access,” he said. Microtuber innovation gets gold award EGG Microtubers (ECG) has been presented with the Golden Innovation Award at the Potato Europe (Netherlands) 2021 event for the technology it developed to produce virus-free and vigorous microtuber seed potatoes. The award was made after the South Korean company was deemed to have met three key criteria: Innovativeness, potential impact in the potato market and applicability in the potato sector. EGG’s technology produces microtuber seed potatoes through mass production in bio-secured plant factories which are harvested every day, all year round and can be machine-planted directly in the open field. Dirk Duijzer, a key member of the Dutch Top Sector Agri & Food sat on the awards during. When presenting the prize, he said: “This is a very special innovation that means a lot in di erent domains, from health and speed to broad applicability. We see the EGG Microtubers as a leap forward in the towards innovation of varieties and believe that the innovation will soon be widely applicable. We expect that the industry will recognize EGG Microtubers as a fundamental but also applicable breakthrough.” The Silver Innovation Award was awarded to Crop.zone’s Nucrop, while HZPC’s Smart Bigbag received the Bronze Innovation Award. The general public was invited to vote for the Audience Award, via various platforms, and Crop.zone’s Nucrop took this award. It was described as “A real game changer in potato desiccation” and “Technology towards sustainability”.