Australia: Hope for seed potato exports to Egypt

Western Australia’s potato growers and industry representatives have joined forces to investigate a 10,000-tonne seed potato export agreement with Egypt as a way to reinvigorate the industry. A delegation will travel to Egypt before the end of the year to discuss the proposal. Egypt is the world’s biggest certified producer of imported seed potatoes and supplies about 100,000 tonnes annually to Europe. “They have four plantings each year in Egypt and have some trouble sometimes, which is where we would fit in,” Mr Moltoni said. “It’s during their July planting, which is our autumn harvest and peak growing period.” Mr Moltoni said there was much to work out, from potato requirements to trade specifications. A selection of growers participated in a workshop about the proposal. More