EarthFresh finds strong demand for potatoes in paper packaging 

Atlanta, Ga.-based EarthFresh LLC is seeing good quality potatoes coming out of storage, said Dan Martin, chief operating officer.

“Potatoes have stored well this year,” Martin said. “We had good crops in the East and are very happy with the quality we are seeing. Our Western crop is showing the impact of the high heat and drought from last year as we go later into the season, causing us to grade a little harder, but overall quality remains good.”

Markets typically firm as storages empty, and Martin said that trend will likely repeat itself this year as well.

A challenging reality this year is freight availability and cost, which Martin said affect all regions.

“We have also been impacted by the Prince Edward Island potato export ban but are hoping that we see relief in the upcoming weeks,” Martin said. “There are millions of pounds of high quality, safe potatoes that have historically been a huge part of the U.S. retail and foodservice program. We are optimistic that the borders will reopen and we can resume shipping to the U.S. market.”

Packaging win

EarthFresh is offering compostable packaging, Martin said, and many customers have come on board. “Our paper lineup in 3-pound, 5-pound and 10-pound formats is very popular and is gaining traction in the U.S.,” he said. “ We have the ability to pack paper at all of our facilities in the U.S. and Canada.”