Inside: Potato Market
Australian seed possible to Egypt
If it is up to potato growers in the state of Western Australia, Egypt will receive a substantial part of their seed potatoes in the not too distant future. The arable farmers could use a boost in the market. If no new sales channels are found, this means the end of cultivation in this part of the country.
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Choose the subscription that suits youThe government in Western Australia is releasing 60.000 Australian dollars, equivalent to €40.000, to open the way for seed potato exports to Egypt. This is what Simon Moltoni, chairman of growers' organization The Potato Growers Association of Western Australia, told ABC News. The organization itself is contributing another €27.000 to the project to win over the Egyptians. To achieve this, a step-by-step plan has been set up.
67.000
euro
1 year project
The project must start as soon as possible and will last more than 1 year. At that time, the Egyptians are invited to Australia and Australian companies come to look at the country. Moltoni estimates the total market for seed potatoes at 10.000 tons per year. That is comparable to the annual production in the Australian state.
Disease outbreak paralyzes exports
Potato growers have been particularly hard hit by an outbreak of the potato psyllid (tomato potato psyllid). It was found in February of this year, after which the government shut down the entire export sector. Because no product was allowed to be exported, the local market was oversupplied.
In 2016, chip manufacturer Smith's closed its factory in the state, causing growers to miss out on sales opportunities. Well-intentioned marketing campaigns to get Australians to eat more potatoes have had little effect. This year, many potato farmers have therefore plowed the crops under. Grubbing and storing cost more money than it yielded.
Trading houses positive
According to Moltoni, the export of seed potatoes to Egypt is a good match. The Australian growing season is favorably positioned compared to that in Egypt. This does not apply to consumption potatoes. The chairman thinks that there is too much competition in the market from Europe at that time. The 3 seed potato trading houses currently active in the state welcome the plans of the grower organization. But, they are also cautious about the prospects.
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The export of seed potatoes to Egypt. More graphs? Visit the Database.
After Algeria, Egypt is the largest African destination for Dutch seed potatoes. In 2016, 55.500 tons of seed potatoes were exported to the country. That was still 2015 tons in 45.420.