Promoting production and use of organic potatoes in Northern Ostrobothnia, the northernmost agricultural area in Europe

The demand for organic products is increasing in Finland. Potato is an important part of the Finnish diet with around 60 kg of potatoes per person consumed annually. The demand for organic potatoes and potato products is also increasing. However, currently less than 2 % of the potato crops are grown organically, and neither the volume nor the quality meets the expectations of the consumers and professional kitchens. Organic potato production faces many challenges including lack of suitable cultivars and fertilisers and difficulties with disease control, all of which may contribute to low yields in organic production. The objective of this on-going study is to promote the production and use of organic potatoes in Northern Ostrobothnia, the northernmost agricultural area in Europe. The project outline and the first year’s results are discussed.