Frozen Fries Damage Livelihood of Potato Workers in SA

Imported frozen french fries are threatening the livelihood of more than 11 000 workers in the potato processing industry, says producers association Potatoes SA (PSA).

Its marketing manager, Etienne Booyens, said the association had asked Minister of Agriculture Tina Joemat-Pettersson and Minister of Trade and Industry Rob Davies to act as the sharp increase in imports of frozen french fries from Europe would leave the potato processing industry in crisis, reported Cape Argus.

"With every roleplayer in the potato value chain adversely affected, PSA is appealing to the government for urgent intervention in creating a sustainable environment for the potato processing industry."

Booyens said the volume of frozen french fry imports had surged from 15 460 tons in 2009 to 46 903 tons in 2010 and then levelled at 30 054 tons last year.