With just a few days to go before the Andalusian early potato campaign starts its harvest, the tricky subject of acrylamides hits the headlines.
Fruit Today Euromagazine wanted to talk to different sources to contrast how this new scare is being dealt with in a country where fried potatoes make up 70% of the consumption.
Potatoes have been in the news for several days due to the subject of acrylamide. Is this just a case of scaremongering?
The news has to be explained correctly. We have been living alongside acrylamide for centuries; which, by the way, should not only be attributed to potatoes, but also to coffee, tobacco, biscuits, bread and cakes.
In addition to this, the produce should not be criminalised because not all potatoes contain the same level of acrylamides; this depends on their state of conservation. Fresh new potatoes do not contain acrylamides because their starch has not been turned into sugars. While it is true that now there will be some European guidelines showing acrylamide levels, it is merely a preventive question.
Why does the idea of low quality in potatoes exist?
70% of Spanish consumption is aimed at fried produce and in the sector we have not known how to offer a potato that gives good results in this cooking process. Therefore, we should make an effort and sell a minimum of 70% of potatoes with good quality for frying. Some supermarkets have realised this and have already put them on the shelves.
The loss of potato crop land in Andalusia seems significant this year. Howmuch do youestimate has beenlost?
The first estimates calculate between 18% or 20% less surface area. It also seems that the average yield per hectare will be lower than last year due to the unusually cold spring. The entire early and middle crop areas are being affected.
Would you dare to hazard an opinion as to how the campaign will unfold?
It will be long. Produce from Cartagena and Seville must continue until Northernharvests start. And on the other hand, potatoes from Granada and Extremadura will have to occupy an important gap, because we will need them. Germany and France have planted late, which will benefit the exporters, particularly to Germany in June.
