Industry Looks To Increase Long-Term Demand For Potatoes

United States Potato Board (USPB) President and CEO Tim O’Connor addressed the Board Members and industry members who traveled to Denver, CO, March 9-12, for the USPB’s 38th Annual Meeting at the Westin Tabor Center. His remarks focused on the importance of demand for potatoes and called for competition amongst industry sectors to diminish.

Divisions amongst industry sectors he said are not helpful in responding to and solving the industry’s most significant problems: declining demand, the threat of acrylamide, obesity, low-carb diets, changing consumer lifestyles and meal preferences. These problems are not sector-oriented and require the entire industry’s concerted effort to overcome.

“Increasing long-term demand is the industry’s biggest problem,” O’Connor said.  Currently, declining demand is driving the industry. In fact, he said  the greatest threats are industry related and not specific to one or just a few sectors.

“If we don’t solve these issues, tomorrow looks just like yesterday for the industry," he said. "It is critically important the USPB continues to address long-term demand in its next five-year long-range plan. Our largest problems and best opportunities are long term.”

O’Connor encouraged growers to work on ways to help increase consumption of potatoes. “Those of you who produce and market potatoes must find ways to make your products more convenient,” he said. “We need your help making potatoes fit into consumer lifestyles and unlocking positive nutrition messages.

“Nutrition and convenience are our two barriers, and the USPB simply does not have all of the bells and whistles to solve these problems without your help and support,” he concluded. “This is hard work, but we must stay the course and keep working on issues as they arise, together, as an entire industry.”

For more information, go to www.uspotatoes.com.

Source: USPB press release