Potato Expo returns as P.E.I. growers consider drought recovery and trade risks
BNN Bloomberg
Potato producers from across Canada were in Charlottetown this week for the International Potato Technology Expo, an event organizers say drew about 3,000 visitors over two days.
For P.E.I. farmers, the trade show comes after one of the driest growing seasons on record. According to Statistics Canada’s 2025 potato production estimates, the Island had the biggest decrease of any province, down nearly 16 per cent.
“That makes it a tough year,” said Ryan Barrett, research and agronomy specialist with the P.E.I. Potato Board, adding some farms didn’t make any money at all. “Maybe they broke even, if they had crop insurance or something like that.”
The focus now, he says, is on investing in sustainable, agricultural practices. For example, some are using cover crops – plants used primarily to slow erosion - and crop rotation to improve soil health and moisture retention.
Others are testing potato varieties that could are more drought or disease resistant.
“A lot of our producers are being able to take advantage of some of these newer genetics that are more efficient.”
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