“Porbatata represents more than 50% of the production in Portugal”

Sérgio Ferreira, president of Porbatata, (the potato portuguese association)  grants an exclusive interview for eComercio Agrario. Porbatata’s main mission is to promote the Portuguese potato as a healthy and differentiated food, highlighting its unique characteristics.

Por: Bárbara Aguayo Martínez, Periodista agroalimentaria (@BarbaraAguayoM3)

Who make up the association?

Founded on 28 September 2016, Porbatata is a non-profit organization that aims to promote the Portuguese potato.

Based on an innovative vision of processes, it represents the interests of the whole sector at national and international level, defending companies and seeking to release constraints that interfere with their competitiveness and sustainability.

The association’s mission is to monitor, compile, produce and disseminate relevant information, particularly of a productive, commercial and market nature, while promoting and stimulating domestic consumption and export, enhancing synergies with other organizations in the agri-food sector.

Headquartered in the west of Portugal, in the town of Lourinhã, Porbatata has members from various regions of Portugal, including the islands, from producer organizations to traders operating in domestic and foreign markets, and also players from the industry and other entities linked to the sector, such as universities and associations.

All public or private entities that participate in the Portuguese potato sector at a business and institutional level can be associated.

What production do they represent over the total Portuguese potato production?

Porbatata Portugal the whole potato chain, from production, seed potatoes, traders/packers and industry, and includes the largest companies in the Portuguese potato market. In the production it represents more than 50% of the market . We are talking about professional production, because in Portugal we have many small producers that have a non-professional/family production that as a whole is still quite representative.

What production do they export to Spain and in what channels (wholesalers / supermarkets / horeca?

As far as the Spanish market is concerned, we want to achieve a balance where we get the best out of it by trying to stagger the different harvest periods for both countries.

What is the period of production and marketing of the Portuguese potatoe?

Produced between May and August, Miss Tata (the brand we created to promote portuguese potatoes) is one of the first potatoes to appear on the European market, so it is fresher, more natural, and preservative-free. A precious and delicious potato.

What is miss tata’s mision?

Miss Tata is the collective brand to promote the Portuguese potato and was created by Porbatata, the Portuguese Potato Association, in an unprecedented initiative that brings together the whole chain, from producers and packers, to the industry. Versatile, tasty, and differentiating, Miss tata is the ambassador of the Portuguese potato in the national and international markets.

Portugal has a long tradition in potato cultivation, one of the most consumed foods in the world. Thanks to the climate and soil characteristics, the Portuguese potato is distinguished by its quality. Taste and texture that deserve to be at the center of every table.

Do you think you can grow in the Spanish market?

Miss Tata’s objectives is to surprise local consumers and the market with freshness and promote the excellent characteristics of the Portuguese potato.

The mild climate with Atlantic influence and the strong luminosity, combined with the fertility of the soils give Miss Tata characteristics that translate into freshness, versatility and flavor.