Industry News - wk ending 22 July '22
Potato News - North America
No potato wart found in 5,000 samples tested on Prince Edward Island by CFIA
With testing completed on 5,000 P.E.I. soil samples collected by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency from March to June no potato wart fungus has been found, as Kevin Yarr reports for CBC News.
Can millions of dollars worth of San Luis Valley spuds take a one way trip to Mexico?
U.S. farmers started shipping fresh potatoes into the Mexican interior in May, about 20 years after an initial deal was signed between the two countries.
Idaho Crop Yields Should Be Up Significantly This Year
Yields and total production for most of Idaho’s major crops are expected to be substantially higher this year compared with last year.
Potato News - Overseas
Australian farmers warn of 30 per cent potato price rise
“Gone are the days when spare change was enough to get your hands on our salty favourites, as the cost of living continues to eat up our savings,” writes Carly Douglas of NCA Newswire in this news story published by News.com.au.
Heatwave: Home consumption and retail sales taking a hit in Ireland, UK and Europe struggling with increasing drought
The Irish Farmers Association (IFA) says in its weekly potato market report that home consumption and retail sales have taken a hit over the past week in Ireland due to soaring temperatures. Queens continue to be lifted in the north east and volumes are now available in retailers. Again, sales took a hit last week but cooler temperatures forecast should improve this.
Heatwave to push up price of chips, say British potato farmers
The price of chips is set to increase after recent high temperatures ravaged crops, potato growers in Britain have warned. According to a BBC report, farmers said the heatwave had added to pressures caused by rising costs linked to the war in Ukraine.
Logistics News
Ocean container rates fall for 21st consecutive week
According to the World Container Index tracking indicator from shipping analytics firm Drewry, rates fell for the 21st consecutive week. They’re also down 24% over the same week in 2021.
Diesel Plunges 13.6¢ to Settle at $5.432 a Gallon
The national average price of diesel fell for the fourth consecutive week — and by at least a dime for the third straight time — by 13.6 cents to settle at $5.432 a gallon, according to Energy Information Administration data released July 18.
Food Industry News
Survey: Ingredient Issues Force Product Changes
Consumer goods manufacturers are adopting a variety of strategies to deal with ingredient issues, up to and including discontinuing some products entirely, according to a recent survey.
State of the Industry 2022: Puffed and extruded snacks offer variety, healthy options
The puffed and extruded category mostly experienced growth from 2021 to 2022. Consumers are also searching for better-for-you flavors, and the category aimed to accommodate.
Private label pantry staples benefiting from inflation
Baking mixes and soup are among the private brand categories benefiting from inflationary concerns, according to data from Catalina, an advertising services company.
Some Global Food Prices Edge Back Down
Global food prices, which still near record highs, are starting to come down for some items, while the U.S. is quietly urging farmers to use more Russian fertilizer.