Scotland’s seed potato growers will have an additional export market this season.
This is thanks to successful negotiations between the Potato Council, the Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA) Scottish Government agency and Vietnamese government officials.
Robert Burns, Potato Council head of seed and export, said: “The outward mission by Potato Council and SASA to Hanoi earlier this year led to the finalisation recently of the importation agreement between GB and Vietnam.
“This is now signed and we are absolutely delighted that this important new market is now accessible for GB’s seed growers and exporters.”
Dr Triona Davey, plant health liaison for SASA, was involved in the protracted negotiations giving the Vietnamese officials advice and information on specific phytosanitary conditions as well as emphasising the benefits that GB seed potatoes could offer Vietnamese growers.
The Vietnamese officials are due to visit the Potato Council and SASA next month to observe GB seed production at first hand, and will meet Potato Council and SASA plant health teams, as well as visiting micro-propagation laboratories and mini-tuber production facilities.
Until recently, potatoes ranked below other Vietnamese staples such as rice, maize and sweet potato, with an average yield of potato crops in Vietnam of around 12 tonnes per hectare.
The lack of quality seed is thought to have been one significant barrier to production efficiency and profitability in Vietnamese potato production.
Mr Burns commented on the potential demand for potatoes in Vietnam, saying: “Middle-class consumer numbers are rising in Far-Eastern markets and they are demanding potatoes in their diet.
“The GB seed industry is now able to help Vietnamese growers increase the yields and quality of their potato crop by providing high-health, high quality seed from Britain already grown successfully in more than 50 countries.”