AGRICULTURAL NEWS - Although the lockdown measures in countries around the world during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic have resulted in strong demand for fresh potatoes in supermarkets and grocery stores, the closure of restaurants and fast food outlets has led to an oversupply crisis.
According to the International Potato Center in Lima, Peru, the closure of restaurants and other food service establishments had significantly reduced the demand for processed potato products.
This sudden drop in demand had created an oversupply in local markets, with millions of tons of processing potatoes being kept in cold storage, and a glut of processed potato products.
In an attempt to mitigate losses, the industry was trying to divert more fresh potatoes to grocery stores and supermarkets to meet the growing demand, with additional processed potato products also being moved into the retail sector.
