Brussels, 10/09/2014 (Agence Europe) - Together with EUPPA and Europatat, COPA-COGECA held a seminar in Brussels on Tuesday 9 September to highlight the importance of the EU potato sector - the fourth largest crop in Europe - and to warn of unfair trade restrictions that must be tackled.
COPA-COGECA Secretary General Pekka Pesonen noted that the EU is a major potato producer and key trader, especially within in the EU, even though the sector receives little support for promotion. The EU is also the number one exporter of seeds to North Africa, of ware potatoes to Russia and of processed goods to South America and Asia. “The value of potato exports has also risen 75% in the past ten years, benefiting the EU economy, innovation and growth in EU rural areas”, he stated.
The 2014-2015 marketing year is expected to be a bumper harvest, up 7% on last year and topping 27.5 million tonnes in the five main producer countries. On the spot market, however, prices are dropping and the situation is made worse by the trade restrictions recently imposed by the Russian Federation.
A big increase in world consumption of potatoes is expected in the longer term. So that benefit can be drawn from the increased trade opportunities, COPA-COGECA urges the EU Commission to ensure that non-tariff barriers, red tape and phytosanitary barriers are removed in upcoming trade negotiations with non-EU countries.
Furthermore, the intellectual property rights for seed potatoes must be protected and promotion of fresh products strengthened both on the internal market and also targeting non-EU countries, COPA-COGECA argues. (LC)