TRADE AND MARKET I NG Closed potato market in Norway keeps the local potato chain afloat ‘In principle, we process all the potatoes that come in’, Ingeborg Flønes explains as an example of sustainability. for the affiliated growers. The potato turnover based on fresh potatoes fluctuates between 68,000 and 124,000 tons, depending on production. Last year, 86,385 tons were processed. Flønes notices a number of new trends in the market. In addition to health and convenience, she also notices ‘flexican food’ which covers all forms of vegetarian food. After all, the potato fits perfectly in a meatless diet. In addition to these health aspects, she points out that for the weekend and other feel-good moments, consumers also want to eat ‘comfort food’ which is all about taste. In addition to responding to these trends, sustainability is an important spearhead of the company. For example, she believes that waste reduction is one the company’s a strong points. ‘In principle, we process all the potatoes supplied. The main flow goes to our potato products for the supermarket, food service and industrial raw materials. In addition, we use the waste potatoes, both our own and those from other companies. We pay a price of 4.5 eurocents per kilogram and use them as a raw material for our high-quality alcohol production for the Arcus distillery,’ she explains. Looking at production, Flønes views acrylamide as an important quality aspect. ‘We’re looking for varieties that are less sensitive to acrylamide.’ Golden potato at Maarud The Maarud company in Disenå, since 2014 part of the globally-operating Intersnack company, has been producing chips since 1936 under the name Maarud Potatogull, which means golden potato. Today, Lady Clair is the most important variety, with 70 percent of the total potato turnover of 26,000 tons, says agronomist Jan Arne Broen. In Norway, Maarud works together with 72 growers. In the period from August to the end of September, Maarud processes most of their potatoes directly ex land. Broen stores the best lots in the storehouses next to the factory where it can store about 10,000 tons of product. An important quality characteristic during the storage season is the sugar content of the potato. To test the storage quality of the potatoes, Intersnack uses a special machine that accurately determines the content of glucose, fructose and asparagine. The result not only determines whether potatoes are suitable for immediate processing, but also indicates at the time of harvest whether a grower can keep a specific lot for a long time. This is why Broen has samples taken from each lot two weeks before the harvest and has them tested in the laboratory, so that he can get a good idea of the quality of the lots. This allows him to determine which lots can and cannot be stored in his own storehouse. The price structure of the crisps potatoes is 30 eurocents per kilogram for potatoes delivered early ex land. In week 31, the price is 28 eurocents and that goes up to 32 eurocents at the end of the season. The average yield is between 32 to 35 tons and can increase to 45 tons for the best growers. In addition to the fixed contract price, growers can receive a quality supplement of up to 10 percent. Looking at the next storage season, Broen is worried about how he’ll be able to store his lots without CIPC after 2019. ● Jaap Delleman Jan Arne Broen is worried about the end of CIPC. Potato World 2020 • number 1 37 Pagina 36
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