UK: Exports thriving for seed potato growers

Although other parts of the potato industry are in the doldrums, with lower returns than last year and much higher rejection percentages on account of the wet summer and lifting season, seed potato growers are busy exporting. “Although it is too early to be definite, it looks as if there will be another big tonnage being exported this winter,” according to Mark Prentice, the head of seed and exports for the Potato Council. The main market for Scottish seed is Egypt and loadings started earlier this year to avoid a repetition of last year when severe weather in December interrupted deliveries. Despite the political upheavals in this Mediterranean country in the past 12 months, Prentice said that demand from Egypt had been strong with the strong reputation for healthy Scottish seed being important in increasing sales. “Last year in total exports to all countries we smashed through the 100,000 tonne barrier thanks to this country’s growing reputation as a world-wide supplier of quality seed potatoes,” said Prentice.

“Over the past ten years we have seen a 43 per cent increase in trade that is a result of careful development of seed potato varieties to ensure great results in varying climatic conditions. British seed potatoes are successfully produced for fresh and processed markets in countries as diverse as Egypt, South America and Asia. He also praised the professionalism of those working in the export trade saying the fact they take great pride in maintaining high quality standards ensured customers came back year after year. Prentice was speaking ahead of going out next month to Fruit Logistica which is held in Berlin in the first week of February. This is the largest single event in the world for those trading in fruit and vegetables and this will be the third year that the Potato Council have taken a stand at it. “It provides a base for those companies selling in the export market. Potential buyers from all over the world attend and this gives exporters the opportunity to get into new markets,” said Prenctice.

Another important part of the seed potato export strategy is the close link with the science and advice for Scottish agricultural agency with its experts on plant health on hand to provide scientific evidence of the health standards in Scotland. Although upbeat on prospects, Prentice warned that a great deal depended on maintaining current health standards. A recent outbreak of Ring Rot in Holland emphasised the importance of the Safe Haven scheme created some years ago to prevent diseases coming into this country. More than 60 per cent of the seed produced in Britain is within the Safe Haven scheme and seed growers are only eligible to join the scheme if they have the highest hygiene standards. Recent work by the Potato Council has revealed the cost effectiveness of their export strategy with the £19,000 cost of inward trade missions from Egypt in the past three years being compared with the many, many thousands of pounds of export business.

Source: scotsman.com