Trump, automation and online shopping hot topics at US Potato Expo
“Most growers I spoke to were cautiously optimistic about the prospect of Donald Trump in the White House, hoping that he would deliver more business friendly policies and roll back some regulations. But they did express concern that isolationist trade policies might damage export opportunities in growing world markets, while others were concerned that restrictions on migrant labor would damage their businesses,” says Cedric Porter of World Potato Markets.
Another popular topic in discussions were labor issues, which some think may be solved by automated technology that will soon see the arrival of driverless tractors and harvesters. A panel of Silicon Valley investors specializing in agriculture said that every year crops that previously farmers thought could not be harvested or packed automatically are being done so, while genetic improvements have the potential to transform yield and quality if consumers accept it.
While technology is changing the game, so is the way consumers continue to buy potatoes. The Expo heard that consumers are increasingly buying online as well as buying less but more often.
source: potatobusiness.com
