CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – Prince Edward Island potato growers are in the middle of one of the busiest times of their year…planting season. Just like many home gardeners look forward to working in their gardens and anticipate the growth that spring and summer brings, so too are Island potato growers excited to get on the land and plant the Island’s famous crop.
Prince Edward Island is home to the largest acreage of potatoes grown in Canada (over 88,000 acres in 2012), with potatoes grown for processing, fresh consumption, and seed. PEI potato growers have been taking advantage of the warm, sunny weather in the past week to get spuds in the ground, but will be equally thankful for the rain when it arrives. Growers are hopeful for a growing season featuring more consistent rainfall than experienced last year in order to produce high quality potatoes for consumption here in PEI, across Canada, and around the world!
Now that contracts have been settled with all french fry and chip processors, growers have a good idea of how many acres they will need to plant to fill those contracts. Growers that grow for the fresh market or for seed are also mindful of how many potatoes they will need and will plant accordingly in order to match supply with demand as much as possible.
Prince Edward Island motorists are encouraged to have patience with farm equipment on Island roads,
especially at this time of year. Slow moving tractors and implements take time to make it from field to field, so keep a reasonable distance and make sure it is safe before attempting to pass slow moving vehicles. Potato growers are growing food for everyone, so please take your time and be careful when encountering equipment on the roads.
Prince Edward Island Potatoes are world renowned for the great taste and quality that comes from
growing in the unique red soil of PEI. The potato industry in PEI creates a total economic impact of $1.065 billion dollars and directly or indirectly employs over 12% of the Island workforce. The Prince Edward Island Potato Board is a producer-controlled association dedicated to supporting the highest performance of an economically and environmentally sustainable potato industry.
Source: Prince Edward Island Potato Board