SOME REASONS FOR SHORTAGES OF POTATO SUPPLIES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 92, 1 February 1950, Page 6

SOME REASONS FOR SHORTAGES OF POTATO SUPPLIES

Potato surpluses and shortages are sometimes blamed on the “powers that be,” but a brief explanation will show that the weather is the deciding factor, says the “Potato Journal.”

Planting areas are worked out carefully by Government officials, in conjunction with members of the Potato Advisory Committee, and a certain acreage is allotted to each district. Surveys over a period of about 20 years show: First, that when a surplus occurs, the main cause has been good growing weather for potatoes throughout the leading production areas in' New Zealand. (Although there have been times when excessive planting has helped to cause gluts, this has not been the case in more recent years). Second, the chief reason for potato shortages is long spells of dry weather in the principal growing districts. Effect of Blight Blight has some effect on North Island crops, but is seldom serious enough to cause a real shortage. Floods and frosts while they afflict some districts severely, have very- little effect on the total crop of table potatoes. Prevention of digging damage would save an appreciable percentage of potatoes, and avoid a wastage. Seed potato supplies are an influence to a certain extent, as when there is a shortage of table potatoes, a higher percentage of the larger seed is included in the table; when a glut occurs in table, the larger seed is retained with the seed.