Toronto 
Recently, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) temporarily suspended the export of P.E.I. potatoes to the U.S. due to the discovery of potato warts in two P.E.I. fields.
Spuds in the snow – a group of PEI potato industry representatives travelled more than 1,300 kilometres to distribute fresh PEI potatoes to passerby in front of Canada’s Parliament, Wed., Dec. 8, 2021. (CNW Group/Prince Edward Island Potato Board)
This was a terrible blow to PEI potato farmers and to the Island economy.
Potato wart is caused by a fungus called Synchytrium endobioticum and is of no risk to human health as it only affects the appearance, yield, and marketability of potatoes.
P.E.I. potato industry is worth more than $1.3 billion to the Island’s economy annually. The U.S. market represents a value of $120 million to the Prince Edward Island potato industry.
It employs more than 5,000 people directly or indirectly (PEI population: ~165,000). The ban will lead to lay-offs and other economic impacts on P.E.I. potato farms, trucking companies and packing sheds if this is not reversed soon.
“Losing a large part of your loyal and regular customer base, so suddenly and at this time of the year, is a huge defeat and, quite frankly, a catastrophe for our family farmers,” says Greg Donald, general manager of the PEI Potato Board, an organization that represents more than 175 potato farmers in PEI.
It is now expected that the P.E.I. potato ban to the U.S. will last into the new year causing long-lasting challenges to the farmers.
PEI Tourism
You can help and support PEI Farmers by eating more wholesome and deliciously fresh PEI potatoes this holiday season.
Whether you want to cozy up with a bowl of potato soup or fire up the oven for some loaded potatoes, there are plenty of award-winning recipes created by talented PEI chefs featuring potatoes on the P.E.I. Potato Board website.
What about some PEI Potato Gallette?
