Spud shortage takes toll

henry

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A shortage of locally grown processing potatoes is threatening to make Manitoba an importer of spuds for the first time in more than two decades and will lead to production cuts in at least one local processing plant.

A spokesman for local potato growers said Friday a nightmare growing season last year took a big bite out of Manitoba's 2011 potato production, and that will lead to a serious shortage of processing potatoes by June.

Potato production in Manitoba

Seeded area (hectares) / Production (tonnes) / Average yield (tonnes per hectare)

2008 / 32,781 / 1,028,765 / 31.88

2009 / 31,971 / 984,312 / 31.38

2010 / 28,329 / 863,654 / 31.38

2011 /29,543 / 793,800 / 28.02

-- source: Statistics Canada

Keystone Potato Producers Association manager Garry Sloik said that, coupled with shortages in other parts of North America, will likely lead to higher retail prices for fresh potatoes -- the kind you buy in stores -- and processed potato products such as french fries, hash browns and potato wedges.

"We just don't know exactly when it's going to happen or how much (prices will increase)."

He said because of the looming shortage, Manitoba's potato processors -- McCain Foods (Canada) and Simplot -- will likely have to import potatoes from Idaho or Washington state or shift some production to other North American plants until Manitoba's next potato crop is ready in August.

He said the last time local processors had to import potatoes was in 1989 or 1990, when drought forced them to bring potatoes in from Washington state.

Read more at http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/business/spud-shortage-takes-toll-137812768.html
 
 
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