Peak industry body Potatoes South Australia is set to receive a significant boost to its finances, receiving A$35,000 from the state's Department of State Development, A$10,000 from the Primary Industries and Regions South Australia, and A$15,000 from the South Australian Potato Industry Trust.
On top of the funding boost, the South Australian government has announced a partnership with Potatoes South Australia to gain market access and expand its fresh potato and seed export programmes to Thailand and Malaysia.
“The programme’s goals will align with the Asean region’s demand for quality produce with the supply of potatoes, the world’s fourth largest traded commodity,” said South Australian minister for investment and trade Martin Hamilton-Smith.
The announcements were made at the annual Potato Industry Dinner in Adelaide on 31 October, where an auction of new season baby potatoes raised A$9,000, marking the launch of the South Australian potato season.
The final bid, amounting to $600,000 per tonne of baby potatoes, was made by Paul Capobiano of Tony & Mark’s Direct, who was also crowned the 2014 King of Potatoes, with the money raised donated to the Little Heroes Foundation, supporting children and families who are living with serious illness.
