Australian potatoes: New crop ends spud shortage

Australia’s potato shortage is said to be over. Severe storms and floods across the country late last year resulted in a widespread potato shortage and a spike in prices. But Potato Australia chairman Frank Rovers, who farms in Cora Lynn, said the shortage was now over. “There is no shortage anymore and the new season has well and truly kicked in,” Mr Rovers said. “We haven’t started harvesting around here yet but growers in Thorpdale have just started.” Mr Rovers said processors would be taking orders soon. A spokesman for AusVeg said the national peak body had received reports that many potato growers had a positive outlook on the next crop thanks to drier weather conditions. “In late 2016 … some potato growers struggled to plant and harvest potato crops … however growers in Western Australia and Queensland were able to reduce the strain on supply,” the spokesman said. “The latest potato growing season is going well and it is expected that supply will soon pick up again, as long as no major weather events occur before harvest.” (Source: The Weekly Times)