Warnings have been sounded for months about a national pre-Christmas spud crisis due to torrential rains and flooding, along with several other negative factors, including transport hold-ups and increased cost of fertilisers putting pressure on farmers.
But according to www.perthnow.com.au when the chips are down, there is one man in Western Australia whom we can turn to for a solution. The Spud King, of course. The one and only Tony Galati.
The Spudshed founder revealed to The West Australian he has brought forward a long-standing plan to add a frozen chip and potato crisp processing arm to his ever-expanding horticulture and retail empire.
While his plan won’t save us this Christmas — it will provide a little more frozen chips and crisps certainty in the future.
Machinery is now being installed at his Myalup farm, with crisps expected to start selling from February or March and frozen chips following around July or August.
“By this time next year, we’ll be in full production,” Galati said.
“Despite the size of the business, it is still very much a family affair. Tony, together with his brothers Vince and Sam and supported by their sons, oversee the day-to-day operations on the various farms and stores,” according to the Spudshed website.
Bringing potato products to WA from the eastern states is “just ludicrous,” Mr Galati said. Credit: Michael Wilson/The West Australian
Bringing potato products to WA from the eastern states is “just ludicrous,” Galati said.
“The amount of fuel you’ve got to burn. We’ve got to start producing here in our own backyard.”
The bad weather has delayed potato sowing in Victoria — with seedlings usually planted in October in the region —and some growers concerned they won’t be able to start planting until the end of December.