James Young, McCain Foods GB vice-president Agriculture, has emphasized the importance of a collaborative relationship with growers for the company’s success, as McCain aims to transform its supply chains and embed sustainability into its business in the face of extreme weather events and of climate change.
Young: "Although planting and growing went well earlier in the season, the weather we have experienced this summer has led to significant challenges for our farmers. We do not have the full picture yet, and it is not uniform across the country, but while early crops are performing well, many of the later crops are under severe stress and both yield and quality could be affected, in particular where there is no access to irrigation.“
Approximately 250 growers across the UK produce 650,000 tons of potatoes per year for McCain, which is the largest purchaser of British potatoes.
According to Young, varieties were a big lever in the sustainability picture, with growers engaged in a ’robust’ trials program. "We are also committed to implementing regenerative agricultural practises on 100 per cent of our potato acreage by 2030.”
Source: fpcfreshtalkdaily.co.uk