Exceptional weather conditions, strict corona measures and political elections. HZPC has been involved in China since the beginning of this century, but as in the Netherlands, every year is different. Ton Frijters is active in China on behalf of HZPC. He has visited many growers in recent years, experienced the corona measures himself and is already looking ahead to 2023. ‘The demand for HZPC varieties is only increasing he says.
Although the term "pioneering" is no longer acceptable, Ton Frijters has been working for HZPC for 15 years in China. "HZPC is becoming well-known throughout China; it has established a solid reputation." Mostly because of how well-chosen the varieties are. With the Innovator and Ivory Russet initially in the fries sector, but today also on the fresh market with varieties like Colomba and Lucinda.
"HZPC is the first foreign breeder to really invest in the country. This started in 2007 when major fast-food chains applied their global standard (level of quality) in China. They are used to white-fleshed potatoes here, so demand is growing for the Ivory Russet as a replacement for the Russet Burbank because the Chinese growing season is too short for this old variety. Ivory Russet initially had a difficult start, but when the variety was grown under specific growing conditions in larger fields, its added value soon became apparent. Slowly but surely, the Shepody and Russet Burbank varieties are being replaced by Innovator and Ivory Russet. Most of the potatoes used by the fries industry (fast-food chains) are now Innovator and, increasingly, the Ivory Russet," says Frijters.
Vietnam
In Vietnam, HZPC is working with the potato institute CIP (International Potato Centre) to develop five new potato varieties for tropical conditions. Wichard Sanders, as a breeder at HZPC, deals with tropical varieties and is closely involved in this project.
The Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture is funding the project in Vietnam out of a desire to raise the profile of potatoes in Indonesia and develop better varieties for the conditions there. There are various practical reasons why the project is running in Vietnam and not in Indonesia:
"It is much more difficult to work in Indonesia because you cannot import materials as a result of the quarantine policy. We started looking around and ended up in Vietnam. This is similar to Indonesia in terms of climate, it is easier to bring material in and the country has breeders’ rights protection. If you develop a variety there, you can protect it there too. And even better: the people there are young and eager to learn. They realise that subsequent generations will reap the rewards of the work they are doing now. They are therefore open to new things," Wichard explains.
For more information:
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