Grant offers boost for Australian potato growers

A Yarloop potato grower in Australia says a $150,000 State Government grant for a custom-built washing/grading/packaging line will benefit the South West industry in that country. Fox Farms Pty Ltd owner Patrick Fox said his company had identified an opportunity overseas in Singapore and the Middle East to supply premium washed and brushed potatoes. “We are hoping that will relieve some of the pressure on the local market here at the moment as prices are at the lowest they have ever been,” he said. “We already currently export around three-and-a-half thousand tonne of seed potatoes and fresh processing potatoes. Mr Fox said he hoped the first shipment of washed potatoes would leave in August. “By the end of next year we expect to be exporting around 5000 tonne of fresh, washed potatoes,” he said. More