Angela Delgado clarifies that there is “a large potato crop that is ending.” Notes that “At the beginning of September there were about five million kilos, of which 1.9 only in Garañaña”. He estimates that between the 15th and the 18th of this month “this local potato harvest will end.” There is still one last annual harvest, that of Vilaflor, favored by the characteristics of the jable surface on which it is planted. Delgado recalls that “potatoes have been imported from the United Kingdom all their lives to cover the demand in this last quarter.”
«There will be some difficulties these first weeks of the month, but I hope they will be overcome»
Delgado believes that Britain’s departure from the European Union It is a factor that could complicate the supply in these final months of the year due to the problems derived from Brexit in terms of transport due to fuel shortages and the lack of personnel necessary for the distribution of the harvest.
Delgado explains that there are two types of complications that affect potatoes for consumption and seeds. For example, Delgado points out, “the labor in the field usually comes from the European Union; they are Bulgarians or Romanians with visa problems to be able to work ”. To this must be added the difficulties in transport.
The president of Asaga underlines: “Potatoes cannot be imported from just anywhere, but a series of requirements must be met phytosanitary, since there is a risk of pests such as the potato beetle. It would already be something very serious when we have the Guatemalan moth around here ».
Delgado predicts “some shortage in the first weeks of this month.” He believes that «it would be greatly alleviated by the collection of the aforementioned Vilaflor harvest, although it always depends on the weather. Fortunately, the haze of these days that was a threat has gone. It is inherent to the countryside, we always look at the sky ».
«Quantity and quality guarantee consumption; the other aspects are removable »
A good harvest
Javier Parrilla, island councilor for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries points out that “England and Denmark are our main suppliers. I have not spoken with Angela (Delgado) but she had established contacts since pre-Brexit times. Marketing problems in Great Britain and excess demand in Denmark are adverse factors. ‘ The counselor insists on a “good harvest this year, better even than anticipated; above 6.5 million kilos ». He emphasizes that “we have carried out a campaign to disseminate the consumption of potatoes in the country, and there is quantity and quality.” Parrilla acknowledges that «There are old potatoes suitable for consumption, but in the marketing circuit they are not valid and that’s why you have to import the new ones ». He believes that “the problem of Brexit and its consequences, which exists, is surmountable in terms of consumption but it would complicate the situation if it also occurred with white potato seeds.” The counselor recalls that “there are two great harvests a year, that of the North and that of the South, which coincide with the chronological calendar.” He insists to conclude: “This year there has been a good harvest.”
“Martín and Parrilla have not complied with the producers of potatoes from the North”
Bet on the Potato Table
Counselor Antolín Bueno is the expert of Canary Coalition in the primary sector. He is “concerned” about the situation of potatoes in Tenerife and ensures that local production “has been coming out in fits and starts.” Criticizes the lack of commitment of the island president, Pedro Martín, and the counselor Javier Parrilla, with the sector.
“They promised producers from the North to install cold stores so that they would not have to sell at low prices, but they have not delivered. Farmers have had to sell at 0.25 euros, well below 0.45 which is the cost of production, at the risk of losing everything. They went in July to have their picture taken and little else ». Bueno calls for the urgent meeting of the Potato Island Board “to plan the situation and anticipate problems. It is not possible to continue improvising and governing at the head of the head ».
Regarding the supply, the counselor of CC points out that «If the potatoes do not come from the UK, they will come from other destinations, but what you have to do is support our local production and give it priority. The potatoes from outside have to be complementary ”.
However, it does warn that problems can arise with the importation of seed potatoes. “This is one more reason to enhance self-sufficiency and promote food sovereignty and not depend so much on outside,” he points out. Values that «the Cabildo and the Canary Islands Government they have to make adequate policies to protect local production. ‘ He believes that “this would promote the incorporation of young people and women into the primary sector, but there must be a policy that encourages this work. If not, what the opposite effect is produced, with an abandonment of the field and, consequently, a greater dependence on the outside ”.
Campaign for local consumption
Last summer, the Agriculture, Livestock and Fishing Area of the Cabildo launched an advertising campaign to promote the consumption of local products, including potatoes from Tenerife. Parrilla calls it “successful.” He adds that his objective is that “the island’s population knows and gives the value they deserve to the products of the primary sector” Because, he insists, “they generate employment and economic activity, preserve our landscape and contribute to a sustainable development of the territory.” . In addition to having “excellent quality.” Some 2,000 hectares are dedicated to potato cultivation on the island. It is the third most important, after the banana and the vineyard, in addition to the main activity in the upper midlands, especially in the North. 56% of the potato farmers in that North harvest only one harvest per year.
