Potato Review

38 POTATO REVIEW SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021 INTERNATIONAL NEWS Spuds are top processed vegetable as NZ exports reach new heights POTATOES were the top processed vegetable export from New Zealand in the year ending June 30th, 2020, when the country’s horticultural exports reached new heights overall, a new report reveals. While fresh vegetable exports remained static at $300 million, processed vegetables increased to $424 million and $106.9 million of this was potatoes. Plant & Food Research and Horticulture New Zealand publishes ‘Fresh Facts’ annually to provide key statistics that cover the whole of New Zealand’s horticulture industries. According to the latest edition, the value of the total New Zealand horticulture industry exceeded $10 billion for the first time in 2020. New Zealand horticulture exports weathered the e ects of COVID-19 to reach new heights, climbing to a record- breaking $6.6 billion in the year ending 30 June 2020. This is an increase of $450 million from the previous year, and more than 11% of New Zealand’s merchandise exports. New Zealand horticultural produce was exported to 128 countries in 2020. The top five markets were Continental Europe, Japan, the USA, Australia and China. Exports to Asia were $2.76 billion, 42% of total NZ horticulture exports. David Hughes, CEO, Plant & Food Research, said: “In a year a ected by the COVID-19 pandemic, New Zealand’s horticulture industry has demonstrated resilience and our produce is more in demand than ever. Our reputation for high quality and safe food, combined with excellent growing systems and novel products, is vital in maintaining New Zealand’s share of the global marketplace.” Horticulture New Zealand Chief Executive, Nadine Tunley said it is great that the horticulture industry has continued to grow despite COVID-19. “Horticulture has the potential to lead New Zealand’s economic recovery and play an important role in climate change mitigation. However, if horticulture is to reach its true potential, government policies around seasonal labour, highly productive land and freshwater, investment in research and development, and compliance must be supportive. At the moment, there is a disconnect between what is being said about our industry’s potential and central and local government decisions that a ect growers on the ground.” Extreme crop losses POTATO farmers in the southernmost Dutch province of Limburg have su ered extreme crop losses following severe weather recently. One farmer was described as being up to his waist in water following flooding and lost an entire 53 hectares including potatoes, onions and other vegetables while another in the region lost 40 hectares. All the floodplains were submerged and The Meuse River was full of debris. Processor’s newwashing lines ready for automation TWO new crate washing lines at vegetable processor Hessing Supervers in Zwaagdijk in North Holland have been processing 40,000 crates every day since March this year. Over the past five years, the companyhas grown rapidly and plans to open a new location, Hessing Greenport Venlo, next year, with far-reaching automation of the fresh vegetable processing process. This new location will o er su cient opportunities to expand the capacity and to further automate, mechanise and robotise the production processes. The location in Zwaagdijk will remain for a few mono lines. Yield increase in Tambov region ACCORDING to the operational information of the Department of Agriculture of the Tambov Region, the farms of the region had harvested more than 2,6 thousand tons of early varieties of potatoes in July. The yield is fixed at the level of 405 centners per hectare, which is almost two times higher than last year’s figures (219 centners per hectare). This year, farmers have planted potatoes on an area of 3,4 thousand hectares, which is practically at the level of last year.