Potato industry in New Zealand valued at close to a billion dollars, CEO says

In the latest Strategic Update report issued by Potatoes New Zealand, CEO Chris Claridge writes that the 2017 calendar year values and volumes are now available and the news is very positive. “Our total industry value to Dec 2017 including domestic retail sales, food service such as restaurants takeaway chips and exports, is closing on a Billion dollars per annum,” Claridge says. He notes that Potatoes New Zealand has two important key strategic goals which they are endeavouring to achieve by 2025, namely to double the value of fresh and processed New Zealand based exports by 2025, and to enhance the value of the domestic market by 50% by 2025. “In summary, when tracking performance at December 2017 we are well on track to achieve these goals,” Claridge says. Based on the levy received, the 2013 farm gate value was estimated at $103 million. The 2017 estimated farm gate value is now at a $170 million, showing an increase of 65%. “Evidence that increased market value is being returned at the farm gate,” says Claridge. Full report