Higgins goes to China with British Potato Council Mission

Finningley, Doncaster: The Higgins Group Managing Director, David Higgins, was part of the successful China Britain Business Council Potato Technology Mission to China in late May 2005. The mission offered delegates an opportunity to meet with Chinese Ministers and leading potato technologists, visit processing plants and make presentations on UK potato production techniques.



China is the world�s largest potato producer, predominantly from small family farms. Most of the crop is consumed on the farm, but the percentage which is processed is expected to increase by 10-12% per annum, leading to an expected demand for a further 12 million tonnes of potatoes. There is a recognised need for improved varieties, better seed production schemes and development in cultivation technology. Chinese officials are keen to encourage international co-operation and collaboration, and the UK�s most experienced potato industry organisations, such as the Higgins Group, will be presented with opportunities, not only in these areas, but also in training and crop handling and storage.



�The visit was intensive,� comments David Higgins. �Over five days, we met with officials at the Ministry of Agriculture and the China Academy of Agricultural Sciences, toured a major supermarket and The Potato High Tech Park in Beijing; visited the Academy of Agricultural Sciences and Agricultural University, Technico Horticulture, a potato processing facility and contributed to the UK-China Potato Technology Seminar in Kunming, as well as attending and presenting at the International Potato Symposium and potato variety trials in Sichuan.



�The relaxation of trade restrictions with China presents a tremendous opportunity for Higgins, which has years of experience and expertise to offer a developing market. I was very happy to contribute information on potato production in the UK and to have the opportunity to evaluate the developing potato industry in China at first hand.



�The Higgins Group exports all over the world, and I believe China will become an increasingly important market for the company. I am delighted to have been asked to be a part of this mission.�