Kenyan trials hint at new markets across Africa

Promising results from trials of seed potatoes sent out to Kenya should result in increased exports not just to that African country but it could also open up markets in other parts of the continent.

The four varieties trialled last year – Cara, Hermes, Atlantic and Russet Burbank – produced yields from 35 tonnes to more than 50 tonnes per hectare, well in excess of the ten tonnes per hectare which Kenyan farmers expect when using their own home-grown seed.

Rob Burns, head of crop trade market development at the Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board (AHDB), said: “We are really pleased to see our seed performing so well in Kenya, although not surprised, as all these free varieties grow well in hotter, drier climates.”

He noted that the Kenyan government was keen to approve new high health seed varieties which would not only limit the spread of disease but also improve yield.

The four varieties have now been planted for a second season and if they perform well once more they 0 Rob Burns now looking at other markets in Africa could be fully approved for export to Kenya.

Predicting good results from this year’s planting, Jackie Gibson, exports co-ordinator at SASA, believed that another strong season could open up significant opportunities for exporters.

“I think we are likely to see the strong results we have seen in the first season replicated in the second and if we get good yields, combined with other positive characteristics, such a better dry matter and disease resistance, we will definitely see GB varieties added to the national list,” he said.

“After that it will be vital to translate this success in gaining market access to commercial success for British exporters through promoting the approved varieties to potential customers.”

Following the positive result from the trials in Kenya, Burns revealed: “We are also now looking into other African markets, such as Rwanda, which we will be visiting later this month on a trade mission with the Department for International Development.”

While the long-term prospects for seed exports look good, the short-term outlook for ware growers is definitely downbeat, with the latest stock estimates from the 2017 crop at a sixyear high.

Amber Cottingham of AHDB Potatoes said the estimate of UK production figures was up by around 15 per cent at 6.04 million tonnes, so the increase in stocks held in store had been expected.

The high production in the 2017 growing season was the result of a 5 per cent increase in planted area to 122,779 hectares coupled with one of the highest average yields on record – 49.3tonnes per hectare.

Cottingham said the unknown factor going forward was storage quality and this could impact on marketable stocks later in the season.