Producers, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG), and the University of Costa Rica (UCR) are exploring the pre-fried potato business in the country.
The plan's is to develop potato varieties that are suitable for industrial use and to install a plant to process the tuber.
Costa Rica currently imports 18,000 tons of the pre-fried potatoes mainly from Canada, USA, Belgium and Holland.
This volume indicates that there has been a change in the consumers' taste and that there is a remarkable business possibility, stated the Deputy Minister of MAG, José Joaquín Salazar, and the president of the National Association of Potato Producers, Fabián Segura.
The country harvests 62,000 tons of potatoes and has a fluctuating production trend.
However, the potatoes that the country produces are non-industrial table consumption varieties, as they have too much starch, absorb much fat, and don't have a proper uniform size for industrial use.
Hence, the country needs to develop, adapt and produce varieties for industrial use.
Program
Salazar stated that there is a program to develop industrial varieties that is being carried out by the UCR and the INTA.
Both institutions have already done studies and laboratory tests and are currently performing field validations.
Farmers from Zarcero, one of the areas that produces potatoes, are involved in these trials.
Industrial use varieties are also being tested in Cartago, another producing area, while the National Association of Potato Producers begins a feasibility study for the industrial plant.
Segura said the study is worth $7,000 to $8,000 and that the Association will pay it using their own resources. He added they expected technical and financial support from the government, but that they would reject grant funds.
The government's support for the program was authorized in a decree published last Thursday, which declared the production and industrialization of potatoes project of public and national interest.
The MAG, Salazar said, expect to launch this industry in about two years, as there has been much progress in the agricultural part.
Source: Nacion.com