Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/15761
diggin’ in INTERNATIONAL BRAZIL DISCUSSION. U.S. grower Kevin Waller discusses potato production with Brazilian importer Marcos Bernardi, and Brazilian potato grower Marcelo Balerini. Courtesy photo. NICARAGUA in april, the usPb team seed completed a trade mission to nicaragua. nicaragua imported over 15,000 cwt of u.s. seed in 2009–2010, with the potential of importing up to 44,000 cwt varieties, including Provento, Cal white and Granola. nicaragua produces 661,000 cwt on about 5,560 acres, with average yields of 119 cwt/acre. the country consumes about 992,000 cwt of potatoes per year. “nicaragua has three major planting seasons,” said usPb seed Consultant Peter Joyce. “the usPb is encouraging the registration of heat-tolerant varieties for when it is difficult to find seed, but the timing for planting is good to take advantage of higher prices.” marcy, Red lasoda, laChipper and Kenita are leading varieties currently under consideration for registration. international Development, operating in nicaragua to improve agriculture. this area of nicaragua is quite flat and mechanizable, with considerable acreage that can be used for potato production with either drip or sprinkler irrigation. “this trial should have yields above 350 cwt/acre for all varieties planted, laChipper, Red lasoda, Kenita and Cal white,” Joyce said. “it opens up new possibilities for the nicaraguan growers who were duly impressed. their observations generated considerable excitement as they were able to see firsthand the potential of these u.s. varieties 77 days into the season.” technoserve and the usPb are planning a field day for this trial later during harvest. For more information on the usPb seed efforts, contact sarah mahler at sarah@uspotatoes.com. PG da boa Vista–sP, brazil and sarah mahler, usPb international seed Potato marketing Program manager from Denver, Colo. brazil has the potential to be a good market for chipping variety seed potatoes from the u.s.—the brazilian market for chips has doubled over the past four years. while atlantic is the leading variety for chip-stock, growers would like to have alternative high-yield varieties less susceptible to disease. brazil produces 55 to 66 million cwt of potatoes per year. about 70 percent of production is for the fresh market, 10 percent for seed and 20 percent for processing. nearly one-half of the processing potatoes go to chip processors; a quarter to the country’s two french fry plants and the remainder—mostly discards from fresh market shippers—to plants producing “palha,” a string-like fry product. while challenges remain in seed imports meeting the brazilian ministry of agriculture seed potato standards, the brazilian Potato association (abba) is said to have made significant progress in addressing issues and revising these standards. Growers and importers are also negotiating for improved import inspection procedures. the usPb team seed met with usDa-Fas and also had a meeting with producers, importers and the nicaraguan office of agricultural health of the ministry of agriculture. the nicaraguan Director of Plant health, hugo ordonez, expressed his support for the validation and registration of new varieties, and the government officials’ general attitude was open and positive. Finding new possible sites for potato production and variety trials has been a usPb team seed priority. a new potato site has the potential to significantly expand acreage grown to potatoes and increase the volume consumed if yields over 265 cwt/acre can be achieved. the usPb team seed visited a u.s. seed variety trial in Chaguite Grande with nicaraguan producers and technoserve, the variety trial coordinator. technoserve is a non-Governmental organization, primarily funded by the u.s. agency for WWW.USSEEDPOTATOES.COM is a new website that serves as a resource tool for U.S. seed producers. Information contained on this site includes: • Market research • Information about trade missions and variety trial data • Existing phytosanitary issues • Grant program regulations • Export reference materials from the USPB. The site is password-protected and available to U.S. seed growers only. www.potatogrower.com 25