Potato Production Undergoes Dramatic Change
Issued 3rdFebruary 2001
Michael Conlon, Chief Horticulture Adviser with Teagasc, told the National Potato Conference (Thursday, February 22nd, 2001) that the number of potato growers has almost halved from 1,700 in 1996 to 950 in 2000. The drop between 1999 and 2000 was more than 10% and he predicted that the number of growers will fall by a further 40% by 2005.
He said potato production is now dominated by a small number of highly sophisticated, mechanised and specialised growers.
"Seventy per cent of the national potato acreage is controlled by 160 growers. The level of investment and scale of operation required for successful production will ensure that the vast bulk of the 550 growers with less than 12 acres at present will exit the industry over the next five years", he said.
Following advice from Teagasc, growers reduced acreage by 16%, from 39,000 acres in 1999 to 32,500 acres last year. This has led to a doubling of the price to growers, from £100/tonne this time last year to just over £200/tonne at present. Mr Conlon reminded the audience that growers were losing substantially 12 months ago and many were feeding potatoes to stock because of over-supply.
Rooster, the new variety bred by Teagasc researchers at Oak Park, Carlow was the leading variety in 2000, accounting for almost 30% of total acreage. The traditional variety, Kerr's Pink was in second place with the other traditional varieties, British Queens and Record in third and fourth.
Michael Conlon said the cost of growing and cold storing potatoes is at least £2,000/acre.
"For farmers to make a net margin of £400/acre, saleable yields must be at least 16 tonnes per acre and management must be of the highest calibre", he said.
"The market place is also changing. The increasing demand for washed potatoes and the development of niche markets, such as baby roasters, spillers and bakers, continues to offer growers new opportunities for diversification. Also, processed, vacuum packed and boil in the bag potatoes are eroding the sale of the dry brushed bag trade", he said.
For the full conference proceedings, click here.
