chris voigt

The coronavirus pandemic sent shockwaves throughout the Washington potato industry earlier this year, when processing contracts were canceled thanks to closed restaurants and schools around the globe. And the local potato industry may feel that ripple for several years to come ...

After a promising start to 2020, hopes for an average, or even a good year have come grinding halt for the Northwest potato industry. Chris Voigt, executive director of the Washington state Potato Commission, said coronavirus has had a deep, long-lasting impact on potatoes, not in the fields, but in the processing facility ...

It’s not a shortage, but there is a tight supply of potatoes on the open market. Chris Voigt Executive Director of the Washington state Potato Commission says the shortage to start 2020 started during last year’s harvest. He said a bizarre fall storm in late September dumped a lot of rain, and in some cases, snow on potato growing regions across eastern Idaho, the upper Midwest and southern Cana

While 2019 was a good year in the world of trade for many farmers, Chris Voigt it hoping for even bigger days ahead. The Executive Director of the Washington state Potato Commission said between Phase One, and both China and Japan expanding chipping potato opportunities, the past six months have been encouraging for local growers ...

The 2020 Washington/Oregon Potato Conference gets underway at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick Tuesday.  Chris Voigt, Executive Director for the Washington state Potato Commission said, as in years past production will be the main focus.  ...

For many industries, 2019 was a challenging year with more setbacks than victories.  One of the few exceptions was the Washington potato industry.  Chris Voigt, Executive Director of the Washington Potato Commission said after a late winter snow forced many growers to plant later than normal, 2019 turned out to be a perfect year for Washington potato growers.   “...

Chris Voigt, Executive Director of the Washington state Potato Commission says the trade agreement with Japan, signed by President Trump in early October, means good things for Northwest growers going forward.  He said the lack of a trade deal meant competitors such as New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the European Union all enjoyed tariffs advantages in Japan.  ...

As potato harvest starts to wrap up across the Northwest, how does the 2019 crop look?   Chris Voigt Executive Director of the Washington state Potato Commission says with roughly 20% of the crop remaining in the ground across central Washington, and 25% still in ground in western Washington, the yields are at or just below average.  Ho...

As potato harvest starts to wrap up across the Northwest, how does the 2019 crop look?   Chris Voigt Executive Director of the Washington state Potato Commission says with roughly 20% of the crop remaining in the ground across central Washington, and 25% still in ground in western Washington, the yields are at or just below average.  Ho...

Like other commodities, trade remains top of mind for potato growers across the Northwest.  Chris Voigt, Executive Director of the Washington state Potato Commission said a year into the trade war with China, local growers and processors are starting to see and feel the impact.  Ma...