Mitolo Family Farms has been producing premium potatoes and onions since 1972, with operations across South Australia's Riverland, Mallee, and Virginia regions.
Potatoes
"We supply fresh market washed potatoes all year round, from our three supply regions in South Australia," explains John Tselekidis, Head of Sales & Marketing at Mitolo Family Farms. "This season has been one of the toughest in over 10 years. Over the past five months, extreme weather has reduced yields and created widespread shortages. A hot summer and late-season heat raised soil temperatures, followed by cold, wet, and windy conditions, resulting in lower volumes and more defects such as cold cracking, harvest damage, skin staining, and prominent lenticels. While staining is only cosmetic, overall quality and marketable supply have been affected."
© Mitolo Family Farm
Mitolo Family Farms typically grow over 200,000 tonnes each year and predominantly supply the domestic market; very little goes for export. If any potatoes are exported, it would be to the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
© Mitolo Family Farm
Onions
The company grows over 70,000 tonnes of onions each year. These are grown in the same regions as potatoes."Our white onion program is very small, less than 5% and is predominantly packed for export. In Australia, white onions have limited consumer appeal, with brown and red varieties being the preferred choice."
© Mitolo Family Farm
John said that onions have faced similar challenges to potatoes this year with the extended hot, dry summer. "Sizes haven't been impacted, but our yields and quality have. The domestic market has been steady, and significant cost input pressures have been passed on in recent months, which has flowed through to the shelf for the consumer, impacting overall demand. I expect this to subside and improve in the new year."
The main export markets for onions are the Middle East and Europe.
For more information:
Lucy McFarlane
Mitolo Family Farms
Tel: +61 08 8282 9000
[email protected]
mitolofamilyfarms.com.au