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Potatoes NZ chief executive Chris Claridge.
The New Zealand potato Industry remains a billion dollar plus industry, despite the challenges brought about in 2020.
The total value of the NZ potato industry now sits at $1.16 billion, a 58% growth rate since targets were set in 2013.
Potatoes New Zealand chief executive Chris Claridge says the result shows the immense value of the processing sector.
“55% of our locally grown potatoes produce fries and another 12% produce crisps. A strong domestic market for NZ processed potatoes underpins our industry and maintains our growers’ resilience,” Claridge says.
He says the findings from the report into European dumping released by the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) in May 2021 are disappointing for growers and the Potatoes NZ board.
MBIE found the confirmed dumping of imported potato fries into the New Zealand market were not of material threat to the local industry, which Claridge says signals to New Zealand importers and European exporters that the New Zealand government is leaving the gate open.
“The obvious risk here is a real material threat to our domestic potato processing market and our growers,” he says.
This March, the potato industry is proudly celebrating International Women’s Day on 8 March alongside the International Year of the Woman Farmer, recognising the vital role women play across every part of the sector — from paddocks and packhouses to research, leadership, and innovation.
This year, 'Foodie February' sees potatoes take the spotlight as one of New Zealand's most powerful and versatile food heroes.
New Zealand potato growers are prioritising value creation from high yields to meet a complex mix of challenges and opportunities, says Potatoes NZ chief executive Kate Trufitt.
Following recent storms in the region, the 69th edition of the Tour of Southland cycling event has been postponed.
Farmers appear to be backing the Government's recent Resource Management Act (RMA) reforms announcement.
Matt McRae, a farmer from Mokoreta in Southland who runs a sheep, beef and dairy support business alongside a sheep stud, has been elected to the Beef +Lamb NZ Board as a farmer director.
Ravensdown's next evolution in smart farming technology, HawkEye Pro, was awarded the Technology Section Award at the Southern Field Days Farm Innovation Awards in February 2026.
While mariners may recognise a “dog watch” as a two-hour shift on a ship, the Good Dog Work Watch is quite a different concept and the clever creation of Southland siblings Grace (9) and Archer Brown (7), both pupils at Riverton Primary School.
Philip and Lyneyre Hooper of the Hoopman Family Trust have tonight been named the Taranaki Regional Supreme Winners at the Ballance Farm Environment Awards.
We are not a bunch of sky cowboys. That was one of the key messages from the chairperson of the NZ Agricultural Aviation Association (NZAAA) Kent Weir, speaking at an education day at Feilding aerodrome for 25 policymakers and regulators from central and local government and other rural professionals.
New Zealand's dairy and beef industries say they welcome the announcement that the Government will invest $10.49 million in the Dairy Beef Opportunities (DBO) programme.
