BROOKS, Alta. – All eyes are on Alberta’s seed potato and processing industry, says the head of Alberta Agriculture’s potato research section.
“The future is looking good for seed and processing industry,” said Clive Schaupmeyer at the Alberta Special Crops and Horticulture Research Center in Brooks.
“Seed is buoyant, processing is buoyant and optimistic, but table potatoes are not as lucrative,” said Schaupmeyer.
There are 28,000 acres of potatoes grown in Alberta. Within five years he expects Alberta potato acres to reach 40,000. Most of that increase will be in seed and processing.
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There are three types of potatoes grown in the pro-vince. The fresh table market is the smallest, making up less than one-quarter of the production. Seed potatoes account for one-quarter of tonnage produced, but bring in more money.
“We export more seed potatoes to the U.S. than any other Canadian province,” said Schaupmeyer.
Canadian seed potatoes are popular because of northern vigor. The warm days and cool nights produce seed that is “extra aggressive,” especially in the United States.
More than half the industry is dedicated to processing. Potatoes are used for french fry, potato chip and granular markets.
Total farmgate value for potatoes is about $50 million. Processing adds another $150 million to $200 million.
“I’m very optimistic processing is going to keep going,” he said. “We grow good spuds here.”
