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Canadian and U.S. growers OK deal
Herald and News 1/12/06
United Potato Growers of America and the
Potato Marketing Association of North America have
agreed to work together to prevent a glut of
potatoes in U.S. and Canadian markets.
The two organizations also have agreed to work
to increase contract prices for process potato
growers who have been facing rising production
costs.
PMANA is composed of 12 bargaining
associations in the U.S. and Canada. United
consists of six regional cooperatives, including
United Potato Growers of the Klamath Basin, that
were organized 10 months ago to manage the supply
of fresh potatoes.
Last fall the United board voted to explore
ways to also involve chip, seed, and process
growers.
The combined membership of these two
organizations represents more than 80 percent of
the potatoes grown in North America.
“Never before have process growers across
North America had such a unique opportunity to
work together for the betterment of all growers,”
said Dale Lathim, president of PMANA, in a press
release.
Contract bargaining will continue to be
conducted by the various associations in PMANA,
and United will facilitate this coordination
through its national office in Salt Lake City.
PMANA and United are encouraging process
growers to sign only approved contracts in order
to raise contract prices. Reduction in supplies of
chipping potatoes have already resulted in
increases in the value of signed chip contracts of
$1.20 to $1.50 per hundredweight for the 2006
crop.
Increased returns for fresh growers have
resulted from reduced supplies, due primarily to
United’s supply management programs. United has
been encouraging co-op growers to reduce acreage
to ensure a glut of surplus potatoes will not be
grown.
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