Which Potato Varieties to Choose for Chips, Organic Production, and Processing: Expert Advice
The choice of potato variety depends on the intended use: for the fresh market, organic production, or industrial processing, different characteristics should be considered. Olga Samoylychenko, the Executive Director of the Ukrainian Potato Producers Association, provided detailed recommendations for selecting varieties for each direction.
This is reported by AgroReview
Varieties for the Fresh Market and Organic Production
For sale in the fresh market, new varieties such as Paradiso, Aluet, Jolin, Twister, Taormina, Larissa, Camellia, Actris, Armin, and Photinia are the most popular. Producers specializing in organic production can choose Aluet, Twister, Otolia, Korinna, Camellia, Armin, and Shchedryk, as these varieties are well-suited for cultivation under organic standards.
Varieties for Industrial Processing and Storage
Industrial processors require potatoes with high quality stability and good storability. The Fontane variety is optimal for medium-term storage, while Napoleon is suitable for longer storage and later processing. Other industrial varieties include Bernina and Korinna. To maintain market appearance during prolonged storage, Aluet, Paradiso, Jolin, Esmi, Twister, Picasso, Bernis, Metro, Misteriya, Photinia, and Rodyna are recommended.
“Particular attention should be given to the Sagita variety — it is versatile. Suitable for mashing, frying, and baking, it withstands vacuum packaging and processes well into fries.”
For clear segmentation by purpose, producers choose different varieties: for chips — Napoleon, Favola, Priska, Norman, Taylor, Hind, Fantasia; for French fries and dry mash — Fontane, Agria, Donata, Jelly, Rumba, Innovator, Sagita, Alverston Russet, Metro, Sluch. Among the starchy varieties, Kurass, Susanna, Euroresa, Soborna, Red Ruta, and Spas stand out.
Vegetation Periods and Early Market Release
Early potato varieties, such as Riviera, Kolomba, Ranomi, Esmi, Korinna, Slavuta, Tiras, provide a marketable yield already on the 70th to 80th day after planting. Early varieties — Bellarosa, Camellia, Actris, Skarbnytsia — allow producers to enter the market earlier and achieve higher prices by offering products during the most popular period.