It’s early days yet but the agreement reached on October 31, 2016 that allows Alberta to export to Thailand, is not expecting any challenges for its seed potatoes. “We are looking forward to developing a relationship with Thailand to get our seed over there,” said Deb Hart, Seed Potato Coordinator for Potato Growers of Alberta.
“We’re so appreciative of the fact that we had the working relationship with Agriculture Canada, Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. Alberta’s seed potatoes will be used mainly for processing and some fresh utilization in Thailand. Hart says growers may have to increase acreage in order to accommodate. It’s hard to say yet as far as what demand will be, but definitely it’s an opportunity for the seed growers in Alberta to widen their prospects and it could result in some increased acreage”
More feedback from farmers will likely occur, as well as a more formal announcement during the Potato Growers of Alberta’s AGM in the next couple of weeks.
