With temperatures heating up and BBQs being dusted off, shoppers this month are looking for the fresh flavours of summer dining, and the new season potatoes arriving are the perfect addition to the trolley. Retailers throughout New Zealand should be preparing room for this Kiwi favourite.
It’s certainly the happiest time of year for spud lovers and the busiest time of year for New Zealand’s growers, located throughout the country in Northland, Pukekohe, Manawatu and Canterbury.
2022 has seen the New Zealand potato industry navigate a return to some kind of normal after the pandemic years, with all yields remaining as expected across the industry’s three sectors: seed potato, fresh/table potato and processing varieties.
New potatoes are in store from late October onwards, with the annual harvest drawing to a close in February. Handle the incoming baby potatoes gently as their skins are delicate.
Top tips from the team at Potatoes NZ to build the best instore displays of spuds is to make it clear what the variety is, rather than just saying ‘white/yellow/red’. Consumers are becoming increasingly savvy regarding their choice of variety and, as they get to know and love a specific potato, they’ll seek it out and retailers can expect sales to increase.
As the potato industry increases its marketing presence, it’s looking to honour the identity of individual growers, a developing trend amongst consumers who want to know who produced their food.
Retailers are also advised to label each variety of potato with recommendations for use, such as ‘Great for baking/boiling/salads/mashing/roasting’, to assist shoppers in selecting the correct spud for their needs.
New Zealand’s $1 billion potato industry supplies the most loved staple vegetable amongst Kiwi consumers, with around 20 percent eating them every day. And not only do the nation’s growers supply the highest quality produce, but they’re also farming in a sustainable way, with strategic targets of net zero emissions by 2035.
The biggest challenge for the industry is how to both adapt to the climate crisis and mitigate any threats from it, such as extreme weather events and the changing climate. Potatoes will play a major role in helping sustainably feed Aotearoa and the world, as our growers demonstrate how to use less resources, thus requiring less land.
In addition to these significant changes, the industry also needs to navigate the multiplicity of changing regulations and most especially those that are climate related.
With these increasing demands on the potato industry, it’s important that retailers take this evolving environment into consideration and communicate the high cost of producing fresh produce in New Zealand to consumers where possible.
While costs are rising, the importance of the nutritional boost that potatoes give to such a large percentage of the population must also be considered.
Many shoppers are surprised to learn about the valuable nutrients contained within the humble spud. Just one serving contains 47 percent of the recommended dietary intake (RDI) of Vitamin C, and potatoes also contain folate, thiamine, niacin, pantothenic acid, and potassium and are a source of dietary fibre.
Potatoes are very much a key part of a healthy diet and can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, with recipes spanning cultures and loved through the generations. The smart retailer will be planning a dedicated space to feature these nutritional powerhouses and reaping the result as Kiwi consumers demonstrate their love of the spud.
This article was provided by United Fresh
