Fresh/ Table

Potatoes USA: ‘Fresh potato consumers now also consistently buying frozen potatoes’

In the latest episode of Potato-cast, a Potatoes USA podcast, Natalia Cervantes, Potatoes USA Conversation Architect, is joined by her guest Kayla Dome, Potatoes USA Global Retail Marketing Manager. Kayla points out that fresh potatoes are still driving larger baskets at retail outlets. She says March 2021 was expected to decline in sales compared to 2020 but specifically online grocery sales saw a 43% increase in online sales compared to 2020, a $9.3 billion dollar sales increase for that online category.

May 12, 2021

R.S. Cockerill continues to grow with Aldi

A family-owned British potato farm in Yorkshire is celebrating 30 years of a successful partnership with Aldi. Located in Dunnington, R.S. Cockerill started supplying potatoes to the supermarket shortly after it opened its first British store back in 1990, making it one of Aldi’s longest supplier relationships. Starting from supplying just one pallet of potatoes with a team of 20, the business now supplies potatoes to over 150 stores across the country and employs over 145 people.

May 10, 2021

‘Scotland finds our quality chips to be extremely tasty’, says Wilson’s Country chairman

The growth in home cooking during the coronavirus pandemic has resulted in more families in Northern Ireland picking up packs of local potatoes for meals. It’s a development that Angus Wilson of Wilson’s Country in Craigavon, Northern Ireland’s largest potato processor, has been working towards for many years. In addition, novel potato products from the Northern Ireland company last week won acclaim for their quality and taste from retailers in Scotland in the shape of a major award for a UK producer in the influential Scottish Retail Food and Drink Awards.

May 8, 2021

Top seven noteworthy trends for fresh produce in 2021

The year 2020 has been unprecedented in many ways and has been extremely challenging for fresh produce suppliers, retailers, and shoppers, writes Raul Fernandez, President of Breakthrough Solutions, in an article published by Produce Business. Looking ahead, the following summarizes the top consumer trends for produce suppliers in the coming year. Fernandez identifies seven essential trends.

April 28, 2021

KisanHub report: ‘Environmental and financial sustainability in fresh food production – The role technology plays’

Agriculture’s digital revolution has potential to benefit both business and planet, with sustainability quickly becoming a priority in the industry, KisanHub specialists say in a newly released report. They say say this pressure to take action has been increased during the past 12-months, which have shown how global factors, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, affect our food system and the ‘normal’ way of growing and supplying fresh produce has had to adjust.

April 23, 2021

EarthFresh awarded for fresh organic potato offering

EarthFresh recently received the Best in Organic Product award in the ‘New Product Showcase’ at the CPMA’s Fresh Week Virtual Trade Show and Conference. “We have expanded our Organic product line up to include our Organic Red, Russet & Golden potatoes in new eye-catching 10-lb. compostable paper bags”, says Stephanie Cutaia, Marketing Director at EarthFresh.

April 19, 2021

New branded Idaho russet potato packaging launched

If consumers “eat with their eyes first”, you could say that packaging is the main course. As such, communicating your brand through a unique package can be one of the most powerful tools in the produce aisle. Idaho based ProSource Produce is well aware of this and recently released the first images of its new branded Idaho russet potato packaging.

April 16, 2021

MountainKing’s COVID relief efforts top 1.6 million pounds of fresh potatoes for Houston Food Bank

One year after making its first COVID-19 relief delivery to the Houston Food Bank, MountainKing has now shipped more than 1.6 million pounds of fresh potatoes to the non-profit organization dedicated to providing nutritious meals to those in need. “For years, MountainKing has been a supporter of the Houston Food Bank and its mission of providing food for better lives,” notes Andreas Trettin, the company’s director of marketing.

April 16, 2021

Northern Ireland’s Wilson’s Country sees spud sales soar

Northern Ireland potato packer and processor Wilson’s Country says its 2020 sales to retail have grown at double the local market rate, thanks to its convenience range. Kantar data showed that the Northern Irish potato market grew at just over 8 per cent in volume, while sales of the Wilson’s Country brand rose almost 18 per cent for the same period, the packer said.

March 17, 2021

Lidl Ireland and Meade introduce limited edition Irish Gold Potatoes ahead of St. Patrick’s Day

Lidl Ireland and its supplier, Meade Farm, have introduced an exclusive limited edition range of Irish Gold Potatoes which have hit stores just in time for St. Patrick’s Day. Supplied exclusively to Lidl by their long-term supplier, Meade Farm, these premium unique white potatoes were grown by Meath-based Gibbstown Farm and have a distinct taste and traditional heritage, the discounter said.

March 16, 2021

Tesco, Branston working to cut down on UK’s food waste by marketing unwashed potatoes

A move to cut down on food waste by selling unwashed potatoes – and in doing so potentially double their shelf-life – is being launched by Tesco, the company says in a press release. In doing so, it will help cut down on what waste advisory action group WRAP, say are the UK’s single most wasted food in the home.

March 15, 2021

Malorca’s early potato export to the UK starts

The export to the UK and Scandinavia of Lady Christl new potatoes started on Sunday, reports Lola Olma for the Majorca Daily Bulletin. The centre of this export in Mallorca is of course Sa Pobla, where exporters still have some concerns because of Brexit uncertainties, but this year’s export is expected to be “normal”.

March 15, 2021

UK regulations relaxed to allow Mallorcan potato exports

Mallorca has been exporting potatoes to the United Kingdom since 1927 and future exports are now guaranteed because the British Government has agreed to change the regulations and allow Mallorcan potatoes to be sold in the British market. Conditions for exporting companies are not the same as they were before Brexit, because London requires a phytosanitary certificate with more demanding standards than before.

February 25, 2021

Side Delights: Healthy-eating, immunity gain importance with consumers since pandemic

Side Delights revealed recently released trend data on the growing focus on the health benefits of foods and the impact it has on consumer behavior. Since the inception of the pandemic, healthy-eating and immunity has continued to gain importance with consumers, and it shows in their shopping habits. Side Delights says its potatoes are grown in the best potato growing areas, stored in high-tech storage facilities, and packed and delivered close to customers/final mile experts.

February 19, 2021

Potato retail sales in the US at five-year record highs

Total potato sales at retail were at five-year record highs for both dollar and volume sales in 2020, according to a press release issued by Potatoes USA today. The industry body says dollar sales increased by 16% compared to 2019 and all categories, except deli-prepared sides, grew by double-digit dollar sales. Fresh potato sales increased by almost 21% in dollars and 15% in volume. All types increased in dollar and volume sales by at least 6%.

February 10, 2021

2021 starts out quieter for UK potato markets

January has been a quieter month for potato markets. For most in the market, it has been more subdued than historically. Following the EU-exit agreement, exports of fresh potatoes have been able to continue, although there was some disruption at ports at the start of the month, reports AHDB Analyst Alex Cook. Processing sectors have seen reductions to demand levels from December. The market has been hit hard by the national closure of education sectors alongside dine-in hospitality.

February 9, 2021

Western Australia: ‘Back to Basics’ for autumn potato marketing campaign

Local consumer research has shown that those who are decreasing their consumption of potatoes are concerned about health and weight loss. Those who have increased their potato consumption are interested in budget-friendly and healthy meals and are young families or young adults with no kids. So says Western Australia’s Marketing Manager, Georgia Thomas. The theme of the Autumn-Winter campaign for WA Potatoes is

February 8, 2021

Mallorca asks the UK not to let Brexit affect potato exports

The Balearic Islands have asked the United Kingdom not to let Brexit affect Mallorcan potato exports. The Head of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food, Mae de Concha, has written to the UK’s Agriculture Minister, George Eustice, asking him to “maintain the same conditions as before for the export of Mallorcan potatoes.” Mallorcan potato represents 70% of all potato exports from Spain to the UK, according to the Director General of Agriculture, Biel Torrens.

February 7, 2021

Premium white potato market is taking off with EarthFresh

EarthFresh today launched a new winter promotion highlighting their premium white potato variety – the Polar White. The company says in a press release that this white potato has an excellent taste profile and is a growing favorite throughout the US.

February 5, 2021

Turnover and profits grow at Marks & Spencer potato supplier

Turnover and pre-tax profits grew at a major supplier of potatoes to retail giant Marks & Spencer during its latest financial year. Lincolnshire-based Manor Fresh in the UK has reported a turnover of

February 5, 2021

‘Potatoes were the pandemic powerhouse’, says Potatoes USA Chief Marketing Officer

The 39th annual Southern Rocky Mountain Agricultural Conference and Trade Show started its three-day run Tuesday, Feb. 2, on Zoom and at the Ski Hi Complex in Monte Vista. John Toaspern, Potatoes USA Chief Marketing Officer, gave an overview of potato sales from March to December of last year during his 30-minute session. His report was mostly positive. Retail sales soared and continue to do so as people stayed home during the pandemic.

February 4, 2021

Scotland’s Potato House owner talks Brexit, breeding and heritage potatoes

In this week’s Scotland’s Larder column in The Scotsman, Catriona Thomson talks to Andrew Skea from Potato House about how Brexit is affecting the Scottish seed potato industry, about growing your own heritage spuds, to chit spuds or not, and more. Whether it is for baking, boiling, roasting, making chips or for mash, Andrew Skea knows a thing or two about the humble potato. Andrew explains that growing up,

February 3, 2021

Planted potato acreage in Spain expected to be down

According to FEPEX’s potato committee, the area planted with early potato varieties, which are mainly grown in Andalusia and Murcia, will decrease by 5% to 10% in the 2021 production season, while acreage of mid-season and late varieties, which are cultivated especially in the center and north of the peninsula, will decrease by 20%. The area devoted to medium-season and late-season potatoes in Castilla and Leon are expected to decrease by 20%.

February 2, 2021

Wada Farms: Supply of Colorado potatoes expected to last through next harvest

Wada Farms Marketing Group, headquartered in Idaho Falls, ID, is a major supplier of potatoes from both Idaho and Colorado. Rand Green writes in an article for The Produce News that in its Colorado operation, the company appears well positioned to meet customers

February 2, 2021