No shortage of spuds in NZ - Olsen

Paul Olsen says assertions about a shortage of potatoes are wrong. He says there is no shortage and there is unlikely to be a shortage this year.

He admits it’s been a challenging year with supply – given the crop losses in one of the major potato growing areas, Pukekohe.

But Olsen says, on average, it’s been a great year for potato growers in Canterbury and the yields could well make up for any losses in the north.

“The one thing that has happened is the challenges faced by the distribution network, especially with the Cook Strait ferries being out of service for significant periods of time,” he told Rural News.

“Because of this and other factors, people may not get the exact choice of potato they like – but there is no shortage.”

Olsen concedes that potatoes are becoming more expensive. However, that simply reflects the additional costs of growing and distributing them.

He adds that everything - from labour, fuel, fertiliser and road user charges - has gone up and these costs are being reflected in the price to consumers.

Another issue has been that with roads blocked or damaged in many areas, trucks carrying potatoes have had to resort to using less direct and lengthy routes, which has added to the cost. Producers of other primary products have also been hit in this way.

However, according to Olsen – who grows potatoes in the Horowhenua – the good news is that the early spuds are now in the ground and new potatoes will be on the menu for Christmas dinner.