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Why Prince Edward Island Potatoes? Because Prince Edward Island potatoes taste great! Just as connoisseurs of fine wine say they can taste the soil in which the grapes are grown, the Prince Edward Island potato has a flavour that is unique because of the Island's rich red soil. If you could visualize the perfect place for growing potatoes, it would be Prince Edward Island. The Island's rich sandy soil, clean air and water, and its long cold winters that naturally cleanse the soil, provide the perfect environment for growing high quality potatoes. In addition, experience and adaptation of the latest growing, storing and shipping techniques have given Prince Edward Island growers the ability to deliver excellent quality potatoes. Everyone loves Prince Edward Island potatoes and they are in demand around the world. Prince Edward Island is small, but its quality potatoes can hold their own in competition with the world's best. P.E.I. farmers have been producing potatoes for the world since 1790. Today, potatoes are P.E.I.’s primary cash crop. Potatoes account for more than one-third of the total farm cash receipts in the province, which is more than the combined value of all other Island crops. Prince Edward Island enjoys the reputation as Canada’s leading potato province, responsible for almost one-third of Canadian production. Crop Acres Harvested Yield per Acre (1 cwt. = 100 lbs.) Production (1 cwt. = 100 lbs.) Production per Capita (P.E.I.) Production per Capita (Canada) 2006 94,800 300 cwt. 28,440,000 cwt. 20,531 lbs. 115 lbs. 2005 93,500 260 cwt. 24,310,000 cwt. 17,603 lbs. 75 lbs. 2004 105,500 270 cwt. 28,485,000 cwt. 20,508 lbs. 89 lbs. 2003 105,500 265 cwt. 27,958,000 cwt. 20,288 lbs. 88 lbs. 2002 107,500 280 cwt. 30,100,000 cwt. 21,971 lbs. 96 lbs. Prince Edward Island potatoes are grown for three specific markets: seed, table potatoes, and processing. Seed potatoes are sold to commercial potato growers and home gardeners to produce next year's crop; table potatoes in the retail and food service sectors; and processing potatoes are manufactured into French fries, potato chips, and other processed potato products. Almost 50% of the potatoes grown on P.E.I. are used by the processing industry. Most are processed into frozen potato products, which are available across Canada and are exported to close to 30 countries around the world. The two world-class French fry processors in the province are Cavendish Farms and McCain Foods. Frozen potato products from P.E.I. are available across Canada and are exported. A company called Small Fry Snack Foods Ltd. produces potato chips which are distributed in Eastern Canada and in select export markets. A dehydration plant, owned by AgraWest Ltd., produces potato granules for further processing into many additional products. In addition to the important Canadian market, seed and table potatoes are shipped to over 20 countries annually. Some customer countries are Venezuela, Italy, Ukraine, Portugal, and Thailand. While markets vary from year to year, over the past few years about 50% of our table potatoes have been sold in Canada, 20% have been marketed in the United States, and approximately 30% are sold to other countries. It is no surprise that P.E.I. has the nickname Spud Island!   Home | Why PEI Potatoes? | Consumer Guide | Licensed PEI Potato Dealers | Licensed PEI Potato Exporters Grower Guide | Retailer/Buyer Guide | Merchandise Warehouse | Directors & Staff | Contact Us | Site Map