Agroscope is testing new, very early varieties for processing them into chips. These varieties show surprisingly good results.
Chips are usually made from stored potatoes. Chip manufacturers source these potatoes from the harvest in September through the entire storage period until the following spring. However, a critical phase follows in the summer when stored potatoes are often no longer available. To bridge this supply gap, Agroscope is testing new, very early varieties for industrial processing. These early potatoes are harvested from the beginning of August. They need to reach the necessary size and starch content quickly to allow for optimal deep-frying. Their growing cycle is already over at the end of July, so that they escape the drought and intense heat of August.
Initial tests are currently taking place. It is impressive how quickly these varieties reach the required starch level for processing, despite their short growing season. The results for frying colour are highly encouraging and they crisp up well too. These varieties are not intended for growing on a large-scale as they cannot be stored, but they make an interesting niche that would enable chip manufacturers to bridge the shortfall in summer.
