Following Hurricane Ian which made its way through Florida last month, supplies of Boniato/Batata potatoes are tighter than usual.
“We had a couple of days of flooding here so that pushed everybody back. The flooding has caused significant damage at some fields. There was a loss of at least 50 percent of the product. Anytime it rains, we’re not able to harvest or pack,” says Darlene Zeh of M & M Farms. “However, we are finally getting back on track after the storm.”
Production of Boniato/Batata has merely slowed though M & M is still able to harvest some product. Just not at the level it normally does.
Darlene Zeh says production of Boniato/Batata has merely slowed post Hurricane Ian. M & M is still able to harvest some product--just not at the level it normally does.
These specialty potatoes are part of the sweet potato family. However, you can distinguish a Boniato by the creamy white flesh beneath its pink or purple skin and the taste being a little less sweet than your traditional sweet potato. For M & M Farms Inc., which focuses on tropical and Latin produce, it has more than 700 acres in South Florida and the majority of that land is dedicated to growing Boniatos/Batata.
You can distinguish a Boniato by the creamy white flesh beneath its pink or purple skin and the taste being a little less sweet than your traditional sweet potato.
Strong demand
As for demand, Zeh says it’s high and while there’s good local demand for the Boniato/Batata, the family-owned grower also ships throughout the U.S. The product is popular with both the Hispanic and Asian populations. “It’s gaining popularity with consumers. The Hispanic population is increasing and so is Boniato consumption,” says Zeh.
Zeh says Boniato is gaining popularity with consumers.
On pricing, it’s strong currently. “Right now there’s high demand for the Boniato and not too many farms are able to supply their customers so prices are higher. It has a little over doubled from this time last year,” says Zeh.
Looking ahead though, there is uncertainty about when normal production will resume after the hurricane.
For more information:
Darlene Zeh
M & M Farms Inc.
Tel: +1 (305) 233-8224
[email protected]
https://m-mfarm.com/