After all the troubles caused by the food industry shutting down during the coronavirus pandemic, the potato market in Aroostook County, Maine is seeing a surge in sales as the US begins to revive the economy. It is reported by the Bangor Daily News. .
Two months ago, many farmers were forced to look for new ways to market the 2019 potato crop as restaurants closed and fairs, festivals and concerts were canceled across the country. Processing enterprises have also reduced orders for raw materials to a minimum. Part of the stock was sold through stores and markets: the products were in demand, since many people began to cook at home. But the future of the industry still raises concerns, including at the federal level. June 1, US Senator Susan Collins (Maine) wrote a letter Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Purdue called for direct assistance to all American potato farmers.
Maine Potato Council President Don Flannery also believes it's too early to talk about full recovery.
Flannery noted that he is counting on the caution of all market participants. He estimates that the state's farmers have allocated 4-000 acres less for potatoes this season than last season, which would reduce the crop by about 5 percent. This is a smart move, given that the country is not yet ready to return to previous consumption volumes: even in those states where the recovery is going the fastest, the governors have introduced rules that prohibit restaurants from operating at full capacity.
Read the full article in the Bangor Daily News here