AU: New season baby potatoes fetch $940,000/tonne

Attendance at the Annual Potato Industry Dinner at Next Gen, North Adelaide, South Australia last Friday night exceeded all expectations. The auction of new season baby potatoes, the only one of its kind in Australia, resulted in a final bid of a very impressive $9,400. This was for 10 kgs so that means these very special potatoes actually sold for $940,000 per tonne. Mr Peter Brinkworth, National Sales and Marketing Manager, Zerella Fresh bid on behalf of the company.

From left to right back row- Chris McDermott (LHF), Peter Brinkworth and Melissa Clogg (Zerella Fresh). Front row- Robbie Davis (CEO Potatoes South Australia), 2015 Queen Natasza Zablocki and Karen Malzard (Zerella Fresh).

This surpassed last year’s bid of $9,000 by Mr Paul Capobianco, Tony & Mark’s Direct, Suppliers of Fresh Produce and Fine Food. In 2013, Thomas Foods International started this process with a bid of $8,500.

Mr Tony Wetherall, Stud Stock Manager, Elders Ltd, a Corporate Partner of the Association, worked a room of 150 key industry stakeholders to produce this outstanding result.

Ms Natasza Zablocki, representing Zerella Fresh, was later crowned ‘The 2015 Queen of Potatoes’ by the Hon David Ridgway MLC, Shadow Minster for Agriculture, Primary Industry, Food & Wine. The auctioned potatoes (Lady Christl) were kindly donated by Oakville Produce.

All proceeds from the auction will be donated to the Little Heroes Foundation, a charity dedicated to supporting children living with cancer and serious illness, and their families.

Ms Davis also announced a new Corporate Partner and the Dinner Sponsor; Peats Soils and Garden Supplies and a presentation was provided by Mr Trent Milford, Sales Manager.

The Dinner, coordinated by Next Gen’s Executive Chef, Damien Sharpe, demonstrated just how sophisticated potatoes can be and how much potential there is to showcase their versatility, health benefits and their flavour.

For more information:
Robbie Davis
Potatoes South Australia
Tel: +61 0427 084 319
Email: robbiedavis@potatoessa.com.au