On March 12, Elisabeth Aßmann, State Secretary at the Ministry for Climate Protection, Agriculture, Rural Areas, and Environment in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, visited the modernized potato storage facility of the breeding company Solana in Züssow. Solana invested around 6 million euros, with the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania supporting the project with 1.5 million euros. On the occasion of the completion of the renovation and new construction of the potato storage and the automated sorting at the Züssow site, State Secretary Elisabeth Aßmann accepted the invitation from the Solana Group to take a tour and learn about the project.
Next to the existing potato hall, a new storage hall with 3,200 m2 was built and additional investments were made in cooling and ventilation concepts: Previously, 70 percent of the potatoes could be cooled, now it is 100 percent. An investment that will become increasingly important in the face of climate change, to ensure the high quality of the seed potatoes - and to remain competitive in the future. Furthermore, processes were digitalized and new ramps for truck loading were constructed.
Improved quality and efficiency
"With the modernization of the potato storage, we are ensuring improved quality and efficiency - and we prepare for the future," said Philip Körkemeyer, managing director of the Züssow potato storage.
Agricultural State Secretary Elisabeth Aßmann emphasizes its importance for the region:
"The investment in the new potato storage was a very right decision for several reasons. The company can now not only ensure better quality in the storage of seed potatoes but also strengthens the competitiveness of our businesses. Potato cultivation plays a very special role in our federal state. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, with its closed cultivation areas, has excellent conditions for the production of seed potatoes. This locational advantage for MV as an export country for seed potatoes is further expanded with the hall."
Total capacity increased by 12,000 tons
The potato storage in Züssow has been in existence since around 1980; since 2007, it has been part of the Solana Group and serves as a central storage for several agricultural businesses in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. In the potato storage, with a total storage capacity of about 12,000 tons, the seed potatoes are stored, sorted, packed into big bags or sacks, picked for delivery, and loaded. In addition to the (cooling) storage with a capacity of about 12,000 tons, a sorting hall, an area for packing and picking, and loading ramps are part of the 1.2-hectare site. The Züssow facility serves as a central storage for the agricultural businesses of the region in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: Here, in designated health locations and under optimal conditions, (preliminary stage) seed material is produced.
Images: Solana Group
For more information:
www.solana-group.com