Diao Eng Chay, otherwise known as DEC, a Chinese grocery chain in the Philippines carrying a variety of specialty Chinese deli and gourmet food items, recently added US dehy to some of their products. The owner, Mr. James Yang, first learned about US dehydrated potatoes and their benefits during the Filipino Chinese Bakery Association trade show in February 2011. After conducting internal testing with US dehy, the company re-launched their Chicken Pie and Empanada products with 3% US dehy in the crusts. According to Mr. Yang, adding dehy to their products improved the texture of their dough and made it more flavorful.

Twenty-seven new local family dining restaurants have recently switched to use US Fries (all different kind of cuts) as a result of the FHV 2011 trade show. A distributor of US frozen potato products in Vietnam happily advised they picked up these new customers and their sales of US fries increased 10% and 6% respectively each month after the show in September.

Lotteria Vietnam, a QSR chain with 100 outlets in Vietnam, has decided to re-sign with a US supplier for 2012. The chain reported they have to pay 10% more for US fries this year compared with offered prices for EU product. However, they stayed with the US product because of the quality and services provided by the USPB representative in the market: chain training, coop promotion support and chef seminars. The average volume of US fries Lotteria Vietnam used per month in 2011 was around two full containers, or 35 metric tons.

This year the USPB will be organizing several seed potato market visits for US growers to learn about opportunities and meet current and potential seed buyers. Please see the schedule below for USPB organized visits:

February 14-22, 2012 – Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka reported total potato production of 61,700 metric tons in 2009, more than twice its level just 10 years before when production totaled 27,170 metric tons. It imports 6,000-7,000 metric tons of seed potatoes annually to supply its expanding potato production. Most potatoes are consumed as table-stock, as there are no potato chip producers nor frozen processors. Around 90% of the seed imported is Granola. Sri Lanka’s traditional potato growing areas are in the cool highlands. Space is very limited in the highlands, and there is a desire to extend planting into the coastal areas of the country where there is flat land. The hot coastal areas plant potatoes in early November for harvest in February. The primary variety planted in the lowlands is Desiree. This market has historically been supplied by the Dutch, but also with small amounts from Germany, Scotland, Australia and India.

February 20-25, 2012 – Nicaragua

Nicaragua is primarily a fresh potato market. In 2009, Nicaragua consumed about 45,000 metric tons of potatoes, and produced about 35,000 MT. Nicaragua plants about 5,681 acres of potatoes, but they probably could plant much more acreage if they had varieties adaptable to higher temperatures. Nicaragua imported 1,250 MT of seed potatoes from the US, Holland and Guatemala. The potential demand for seed is close to 3,000 MT. For the US potato industry, Nicaragua’s gradual increase in potato production opens up opportunities for seed exports. Industry sources indicate domestic consumption of fresh potatoes will rise an average 1-3% in the short term, based on a higher availability of locally grown potatoes due to substantial productivity increases and new plantations in the northern region of Nicaragua. Nicaragua implemented an import protocol for US seed potatoes in January 2006, making it possible for US seed potatoes to be imported into the market. Currently Granola, Cal White and Jacqueline Lee are registered in Nicaragua and Marcy, Red LaSoda, LaChipper, Keuka Gold and Kenita are hoped to be registered soon.  

March 25-30, 2012 – Uruguay

Uruguay has been importing US seed for seven years, with seed sales steadily increasing. For 2009/10 the US exported about 725 MT of seed potatoes. Uruguay plants roughly 9,000 hectares (22,230 acres) of potatoes per year and consumes about 48 kg per person per year. They have a need for about 15,000 to 18,000 MT of seed per year. Roughly 3,000 MT are imported and the rest is “National” seed. The US’ largest competitors for seed potato market share are Canada, Benelux and Chile. Canada is the largest supplier. The primary variety grown in Uruguay is Chieftain.

April 1-6, 2012 – Egypt

Egypt has been steadily increasing its production and consumption of potatoes in the last five years and is one of the largest seed potato importing nations in the world. They currently receive almost all their seed from Europe. Egypt imported over 100,000 MT of seed in 2010-11. Egypt is also a fresh potato exporter, having exported over 400,000 MT of table-stock potatoes, primarily to Europe, but also to Russia and other Middle Eastern countries. Local production is shared between retail and industrial use, with the bulk of fresh potatoes sold on the retail market and the remainder processed into chips and frozen fries. The primary varieties for import are Spunta and Nicola for the fresh market and Lady Rosetta and Hermes for the chip market. A market access agreement still needs to be finalized for US seed potatoes, however exports may still be able to occur based on import permits. The USPB is currently conducting its second year of variety trials that include both fresh market and chipping varieties to determine their adaptability to the growing conditions. These trial results will also be used for registration of US varieties, another hurdle that must be overcome to fully open the market.

Seed Potato Market Visits Annoucement.pdf

Sugarbun, a local fast food chain with 30 outlets in East Malaysia, introduced a new cut of US frozen potatoes (Crinkle Cuts) to their menu. The USPB representative in Malaysia has been providing them with chain training and promotional support. Sugarbun is also considering introducing wedges from the US to their stores.

Three restaurant establishments in the Philippines switched/added new cuts of US frozen potatoes to their menus recently. Importers/distributors used USPB-developed materials to convince these companies to switch from using local fresh potatoes for their fry products or to add more cuts to their existing menu. The USPB representative office is coordinating with these establishments to provide them with a fry preparation seminar.

Chicken Duo Little is a new kiosk operation, with three chains located in malls. They added frozen wedges to their line. O’ Pollo Grilled Chicken and Burgers is a fast casual dining establishment that recently switched from local fresh potatoes to US frozen straight cut fries. Size Matters is another fast casual dining establishment that added US frozen loop, wedges, and jalapeno cheese spuds to their menu.

Sun Fresse, a Japanese bakery chain with approximately 300 outlets located in Yaoko and Life Supermarkets, recently launched two new menu items utilizing bread made with US dehydrated potatoes. After learning about the benefits of incorporating US dehydrated potatoes into bakery products from the United States Potato Board (USPB) website, they contacted a local distributor for dehy products. Sun Fresse successfully incorporated 20% US dehydrated potatoes into their frozen dough utilized for two Panini sandwiches which outlets bake in-store. Sun Fresse currently utilizes approximately 1.2 metric tons of US dehydrated potatoes per month for this new product. This is all net new business for US dehy suppliers.

The USPB is pleased to announce the launch of the Chef Solus Potato Party Coloring Book, created through a partnership with Nourish Interactive, a web-based company dedicated to educating parents and children about the importance of nutrition and exercise.

The cookbook focuses on the seven unique potato types (red, white, yellow, purple/blue, fingerling, Russet and petites) as Nourish Interactive character, Chef Solus, plans a potato party for a handful of friends. Kids can enjoy the book by coloring in each scene while Mom can test out the seven easy potato recipes included in the book, one for each type. Along the way, both mom and child will learn new facts about potatoes and their nutritional benefits.

The USPB and Nourish Interactive will work together to promote the coloring cookbook through a variety of channels. The cookbook is available for download on both www.potatogoodness.com and www.nourishinteractive.com, and the USPB will promote the coloring book in their weekly recipe email. The USPB and Nourish Interactive will also cross-promote the coloring book on their respective Facebook pages, and the USPB will also host a giveaway of up to 1,000 hard-copy coloring books on their Potatoes, Taters & Spuds Facebook page in the Spring.

Nourish Interactive is also offering a handful of additional potato downloads for kids on their website, including a “Name That Potato Activity Page,” “Chef Solus Potato Party Recipe Cards,” “Chef Solus Potato Word Search,” “Potato Trivia Question Game” and more. All the potato downloads are available at “Fun Potato Facts for Kids.”

To request a hard copy of the coloring book, please contact USPB Public Relations Manager Meredith Myers at meredithm@uspotatoes.com.

In support of its launch of the new USPB Smartphone App (available both in the Apple App Store and the Android Market) and its Industry Profile Update 2012, USPB Industry Communications gave away two “PotatoPad™” iPads at Potato Expo 2012 in Orlando.

Designed to keep potato growers and others in the industry up to date with issues and events, the app, which was developed for the USPB by Core Ideas, LLC of Memphis, TN, was conceived to communicate directly with growers in the most convenient method possible. David Fraser, USPB Vice President of Industry Communications & Policy noted, “Increasingly, growers are using smartphones and iPads to get their news and information and to communicate. Also, given potato growers certainly don’t spend most of their day in front of a computer, we want to reach them through a channel (the smartphone or tablet) they are using and is more convenient to them.”

“We have our website and we send out e-newsletters, but we wanted to make it as convenient as possible for growers to see what we are doing whenever they want to,” Fraser said.

And now in its fifth year, the USPB’s annual Industry Profile Update 2012, conducted by USPB marketing partner, Orgwide Services, LLC of Collierville, TN, is about ensuring we have the most current contact information for growers and allied industry. Why? Simply put, so the USPB can keep you updated with only the information that is relevant to your sector of the industry. It is the mission of USPB Industry Communications to ensure all growers are fully aware of the USPB programs that are building demand for potatoes and potato products: The new USPB Smartphone App and Industry Profile Update 2012 are tools to ensure we are doing just that.

Winners of the two PotatoPads™ were Fred Flewelling of Crouseville, ME and Paul Wollman of Warden, WA.

A new year means the start of the Industry Profile Update 2012. Already underway, US potato growers can easily verify or update their USPB profile through the use of technology first introduced last year, including emails, text messages and automated calls. The technology simplifies the process because each grower can review his information and simply make changes where necessary or verify everything is accurate.

Wondering what’s included in your profile? It’s simple: name, telephone numbers, mailing address, email address, potato acreage (from a list of predefined ranges), and potato sectors. All in the name of “Maximizing Return on Your Grower Investment!”

For those of you who joined us at Potato Expo in Orlando and registered to win one of the two iPad PotatoPads™, don’t fret! You won’t be contacted again since you already participated. For those who weren’t at Potato Expo (or didn’t register to win the PotatoPad), please look for an email, text message or automated call from David Fraser, USPB Vice President Industry Communications & Policy requesting 4-5 minutes of your time.

“We’ve made the process easier and more efficient. However, due to the importance of this data, we will still manually call growers who do not participate during the automated portion,” said Fraser.

If avoiding a manual call (or three) isn’t enough of an incentive to participate during the automated phase, perhaps we may tempt your taste buds with a chance to win a PotatoPad™ smart cover for your iPad 2. Simply participate in January, and you’ll be entered twice! Just log onto Industry Profile Update 2012 to update your USPB profile.

The automated portion is currently underway, and the manual calls will follow in early March.

No matter where you live in the US, you can always hear the “US Potato Update” simply by visiting the “US Potato Update” Archives…

1.18.12—Potato Menu Innovations Seminar.mp3

1.25.12—Potato, Taters & Spuds Facebook Page Engages Consumers .mp3

On the Home page:

•  Industry Profile Update 2012 now underway!
• USPB Industry Communications Launches New Smartphone App
• PGUNS Regulations, License Agreements & Design Application

On the Press Room page:

• Potato Expo 2012 Interviews now posted!
• In the Media Gallery, you can always hear the latest US Potato Update radio programs that air in the Pacific Northwest every Wednesday during the popular “Farm & Ranch Report” on Northwest AgInfo Network (newest programs in next story)
• In the Newsletter Archives, you can find past issues of Industry Update

Ron Mach is a man who has some simple, traditional values. He truly loves farming. He says it’s a wonderful way of life. He also loves to visit with farmers and share information. And he firmly believes you have to put your time in and work hard if you want to succeed. 

One of Wisconsin’s Century Farms (continuous family ownership for over 100 years), Mach’s Sunny Acres in Antigo, Wisconsin was formed in 1882. Now run by brothers Ron and Ken Mach, the farm raises 465 acres of foundation and certified seed potatoes, field corn, oats, alfalfa and soybeans.

Mach is currently in his second term of service on the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association Board of Directors, having completed a six-year term from 1990-1995, including stints as board Treasurer and Vice President. He was re-elected to the board in 2008. 

He is also serving in his second go-round as a Wisconsin representative on the United States Potato Board. He currently serves on the USPB Administrative Committee, while also serving on the International Marketing Committee as well as the Seed Task Force. In his previous term on the USPB, he served on the Finance and Domestic Marketing committees.

With over 38 years of experience growing certified seed potatoes, Mach is well-respected by his peers and is known for raising quality crops.

(Editor’s Note: Story and photo courtesy of Tamas Houlihan, Editor, Badger Commen’Tater)

CHIP BREAKOUTS

Benefits and Challenges of Consolidation in the Chip Industry

• Part I
• Part II
• Part III

Joe Guenthner, PhD, Professor, Agricultural Economics, Idaho Center for Potato Research and Education

Acrylamide: Seeking an Industry Solution
A.J. Bussan, PhD, Associate Professor, Horticulture, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Gregg Halverson, President and CEO, Black Gold Farms
Paul Bethke, PhD, Assistant Professor, USDA/Horticulture, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Zebra Chip Update
Charlie Rush, PhD, Director, SCRI Zebra Chip Project, Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center

FRESH BREAKOUTS

Potatoes: The View From Inside the World of a Produce Retailer
Reggie Griffin, Vice President Produce, Kroger (retired)

Fresh Potatoes in Today's Marketplace - Attitudes and Purchasing Trends
Kate Thomson, Senior Research Manager, Sterling Rice Group

Growing Fresh Market Potatoes-High Risk/Reward
Moderator:
Keith Masser, Chairman/CEO, Sterman-Masser Inc
Panelists:
Keith Doyen, Vice President, Willard C Doyen & Sons
Jim Knutzon, CEO and President, Farm Fresh Direct
Bob Meek, CEO, Wada Farms Marketing Group LLC
Bart Connors, General Manager and Partner, Basin Gold Cooperative
Russell Wysocki, CEO, RPE

The State of the Economy and the Cost and Availability of Money
Brian Johnson, CEO, Choice Financial Group

PROCESS BREAKOUTS

Eyes on Fries
Kathy Hayden, Foodservice Analyst, Mintel Menu Insights

Why Foreign Restaurant Operators Should Buy US Fries
John Toaspern, Vice President, International Marketing, US Potato Board

Potatoes: Any Day, Any Way
Maureen Storey, PhD, President and CEO, Alliance for Potato Research and Education (APRE)

US Frozen Potatoes Overseas – Frozen Potato Trade: History and Vision
Matt Lantz, Manager, Trade Policy, Bryant Christie, Inc.

Harmonizing GAP Requirements
Suresh DeCosta, Manager of Quality Systems US Supply Chain Management, McDonald's

SEED BREAKOUTS

Acrylamide Research Project
A.J. Bussan, PhD, Associate Professor, Horticulture, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Gregg Halverson, President and CEO, Black Gold Farms
Paul Bethke, PhD, Assistant Professor, USDA/Horticulture, University of Wisconsin-Madison

PVY Research Project - Groves
Russ Groves, PhD, Vegetable Extension Specialist and Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin-Madison

PVY Research Project - McIntosh
Chris McIntosh, PhD, Professor, Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, University of Idaho

Bacterial Ring Rot Detection Trends
Neil Gudmestad, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Plant Pathology, North Dakota State University

Late Blight
Howard Judelson, PhD, Professor, Department of Plant Pathology & Microbiology, University of California-Riverside

Seed Piece Treatment: Evaluating Formulations
Sam Thornton, AgriEdge Specialist, Syngenta
Developments in Seed Technology: What’s Happening in Europe
Martin F.W. Jansen Klomp, Sector Manager, Processing, HZPC Holland

Project: Zebra Chip
Charlie Rush, PhD, Texas A&M University
Gerhard Bester, PhD, Senior Group Manager for North America Agro Operations, Frito- Lay
James M. Crosslin, PhD, Research Plant Pathologist, USDA-ARS

GENERAL SESSIONS

What Do Consumers REALLY Want? How Do They Really Feel About Potatoes?

• Part I
• Part II
• Part III
• Part IV

Phil Lempert, "The Supermarket Guru®," Leading food industry analyst, journalist and trend-watcher

Sustainability in Action – Value Chain Partners Discuss Current Activities

Sustainability + Transparency = Success
Frito-Lay and Black Gold Farms

• Part I
• Part II

Stewardship of All Resources: People, Planet, Profit
Kroger and Wada Farms

• Part I
• Part II
• Part III
• Part IV

Grow, Measure, Improve and Repeat
McCain Foods and WHB Farms

• Part I
• Part II
• Part III
• Part IV

Moderator:
John Keeling, Executive Vice President & CEO, National Potato Council
Fresh Sector Panelists:
Bob Meek, CEO, Wada Farms
Reggie Griffin, Vice President Produce, Kroger (retired)
Chip Sector Panelists:
Eric Halverson, Executive Vice President of Technology, Black Gold
Gerhard Bester, PhD, Senior Group Manager for North America Agro Operations, Frito-Lay
Frozen Processed Panelists:
Eli Wollman, Farm Manager, WHB Farms
Leigh Morrow, Director for Crop Improvement for North America, McCain Foods

Bacterial ring rot is one of the most feared diseases of potato because of the devastating losses it can cause. The latest Focus on Potato webcast, titled “Bacterial Ring Rot of Potato,” by Dr. Neil Gudmestad of North Dakota State University, addresses the identification and management of this economically important disease.

The presentation focuses on the symptoms of bacterial ring rot, which include wilt, discoloration of tubers, and periderm cracking; detection methods, and disease management strategies. This webcast will be available open access until February 29, 2012.

Other presentations are available on the Focus on Potato website.

Focus on Potato is a publication of the Plant Management Network (PMN), a nonprofit online publisher whose mission is to enhance the health, management, and production of agricultural and horticultural crops. It achieves this mission through applied, science-based resources. PMN is jointly managed by the American Society of Agronomy, American Phytopathological Society, and Crop Science Society of America.

To take advantage of PMN’s full line of resources, please sign up for its free online newsletter.