News
World Potato Congress comments on COVID-19 pandemic halting global trade
The World Potato Congress Inc. (WPC), a global potato network, is leading numerous local potato driven initiatives in developing regions of the world in response to growing food security concerns amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Among many economic sectors, the frozen potato products value chain has been “confronted with a true drama” according to WPC. Lockdowns in many countries resulted in closed restaurants and a drop in tourism has significantly reduced the consumption of processed frozen potato products.
“Millions of tonnes of potatoes will not be processed this year creating a disastrous financial situation for farmers and processors. Free distribution to food banks, use as animal feed and as a source of green energy will not be sufficient to utilize the mountains of potatoes. The risk of a so called ‘second wave’ of the virus and a possible renewal of the lock down measures will also affect next season’s crop,” the WPC explained in a media release.
“The socio-economic problems created by this in Western Europe and parts of North America will be minor compared to the likelihood of food insecurity and famine in many developing countries,” WPC added, noting that major suppliers of staple cereals, such as China, Vietnam and Russia, have limited exports.
According to a report by Reuters, Russia agreed to limit grain exports to 7 million tonnes from April to June to conserve supplies for the domestic market during the coronavirus outbreak. Other countries such as Cambodia and Egypt, also limited or completely banned exports of some agricultural products. However, one of Bloomberg’s latest reports, as of May 4, stated that “the wave of protectionist measures on agricultural goods that emerged as the coronavirus spread around the world has already begun to recede.” The Bloomberg report also broke down export limitations by country.
Click here to read the full article.
Source : freshplaza.eu
Latest News
World Potato Congress Inc. Webinar Reminder – February 20, 2020 with Hein Kruyt, CEO, Solynta – What’s All This Talk About Hybrid Breeding and Hybrid True Potato Seeds (HTPS) Revolutionizing…
World Potato Congress Inc. February 20, 2020 Webinar with Hein Kruyt, CEO Solynta – What’s all this talk about Hybrid breeding and Hybrid True Potato Seeds (HTPS) revolutionizing the potato…
WEBINAR REMINDER January 24, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. EST Presenter: Dr. David Douches Subject: Feed the Future – Biotechnology Potato Partnership: Durable Late Blight Resistance to South East Asia The…
January 24, 2020 Webinar with Dr. David Douches: Feed the Future – Biotechnology Potato Partnership: Durable Late Blight Resistance to South East Asia The World Potato Congress (WPC) is very…
The World Potato Congress is pleased to announce that Mr. Wachira Kaguongo has accepted to become the World Potato Congress Inc.’s (WPC) newest International Advisor. Mr. Kaguongo is an agricultural…
World Potato Congress Inc. Announces Next Webinar on November 14, 2019 at 09:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time with Kris Michiels Presenting: Illustration of Regional Potato Promotion: Flanders (Belgium) The World…
The World Potato Congress Inc. (WPC) is pleased to announce that Adelaide, South Australia has been chosen as the site for its 2023 World Potato Congress. The following is…
World Potato Congress Inc. Offers a Fifth Webinar on October 29, 2019 at 09:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time with Dr. Nina Zidack Presenting: “Why You Should Plant Certified Seed Potatoes”…
World Potato Congress President, Romain Cools is pleased to announce Mr. Greg Donald has joined its Board of Directors. Greg Donald has been the General Manager of the PEI Potato…
World Potato Congress Inc partner of the African Potato Association at the triennial conference in Kigali, Rwanda During his presentation at the official opening of the 11th African Potato Congress…