Maine Potato Board watching developments as China boosts potato production

The Maine Potato Board is watching developments overseas and what it could mean for future exports for the potato industry, now that China’s Ministry of Agriculture has stated that the country will boost production to make the potato one of the nation’s staple foods. Don Flannery, executive director of the Maine Potato Board, said the announcement will not have a major direct impact on the Maine potato industry, since there is “no way that Maine would export potatoes to China.” But he said that it may open up markets for western potato growers to market their potatoes to China, which could increase the demand for Maine potatoes in other markets across the United States. “Anything that opens up markets for our potatoes in this country is good,” Flannery said late last week. More