It's potato planting time on Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island is home to the largest acreage of potatoes grown in Canada (over 88,000 acres in 2012), with potatoes grown for processing, fresh consumption, and seed. PEI potato growers have been taking advantage of the warm, sunny weather in the past week to get spuds in the ground, but will be equally thankful for the rain when it arrives. Growers are hopeful for a growing season featuring more consistent rainfall than experienced last year in order to produce high quality potatoes for consumption here in PEI, across Canada, and around the world!
Now that contracts have been settled with all french fry and chip processors, growers have a good idea of how many acres they will need to plant to fill those contracts. Growers that grow for the fresh market or for seed are also mindful of how many potatoes they will need and will plant accordingly in order to match supply with demand as much as possible.
Prince Edward Island motorists are encouraged to have patience with farm equipment on Island roads, especially at this time of year. Slow moving tractors and implements take time to make it from field to field, so keep a reasonable distance and make sure it is safe before attempting to pass slow moving vehicles. Potato growers are growing food for everyone, so please take your time and be careful when encountering equipment on the roads.
For more information:
Ryan Barrett
PEI Potato Board
Tel: +1 (902) 892-6551
[email protected]
