New Brunswick is widely recognized as an international leader in seed potato production. Our reputation for excellence has been built upon a deep commitment to quality and generations of experience. We combine stringent certification standards with modern technology to produce consistent, top quality seed.
An ideal environment...
With its productive soils and northern climate, New Brunswick is uniquely suited to seed potato production. In summer, temperate days, cool nights and ample rainfall provide near-ideal growing conditions for our crops. In winter, snow, ice and severe cold help eliminate pests and volunteer plants. New Brunswick is completely free of many of the world's most serious potato pathogens, including:
- Potato Cyst Nematode (Globodera rostochiensis and G. pallida)
- Brown Rot (Pseudomonas solanacearum)
- Potato Spindle Tuber Viroid
- Columbia Root Knot Nematode (Meloidogyne chitwoodii)
- Potato Wart (Synchytrium endobioticum)
- Gangrene (Phoma exigua var. foveata)
Rugged, forested surroundings provide abundant natural isolation to our seed production areas.
Our commitment to quality...
New Brunswick's tradition of quality and excellence is based on the latest technology, plus close cooperation among skilled growers, trained inspectors and capable professionals. Every seed potato originates from disease-tested tissue cultured stock, and is produced in accordance with the Canadian Seed Potato Certification Program of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. This national program is renowned worldwide for its stringent quality standards and comprehensive inspection requirements. Federal regulations are supported and strengthened by New Brunswick's Plant Health Act. This provincial legislation imposes broad phytosanitary controls on all commercial potato production and prohibits the planting of non-certified seed potatoes. Additionally, the potato industry participates in voluntary disease detection and eradication programs. New Brunswick seed growers are dedicated and experienced professionals, and take great personal pride in the quality of their product.
An integrated, progressive industry...
New Brunswick is Canada's largest exporter of seed potatoes, and we're working hard to maintain and strengthen our leadership position. We have a modern infrastructure in place for the production of healthy basic seed stocks for our industry. The Plant Propagation Centre in Fredericton and the Bon Accord Elite Seed Potato Centre produce disease-tested plantlets and high-generation seed of all varieties under strict sanitary controls. These are multiplied at private laboratories and Elite seed farms, and become the basis of seed production in the province. The Plant Propagation Centre also houses the Canadian Potato Variety Repository, an extensive collection of varieties and seedlings. Our growers are specialized and conscientious, monitoring their fields constantly to maximize plant vigor and health. Modern equipment is used to efficiently harvest and handle the crop. Advanced storages provide precise temperature and humidity control, and are capable of maintaining tuber quality for extended periods. Up-to-date grading and packing lines allow us to tailor orders to client needs. Our growers are supported by a full complement of expert advisors and researchers. Provincial Potato Specialists offer technical assistance, evaluate promising new varieties, and conduct practical research on production, storage and handling. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Potato Research Centre in Fredericton works closely with the New Brunswick potato industry. The Research Centre is a national center of expertise, specializing in potato pathology, entomology, physiology and breeding. Agricultural Certification Services Inc., a grower owned and operated facility, offers complete potato disease testing from its modern Fredericton laboratory.
Our goal: complete customer satisfaction...
Count on New Brunswick for timely delivery, a full range of varieties and responsive service. We have efficient road, rail and sea connections to customers worldwide. North American orders are delivered via modern trucking systems or rail car. Offshore orders are shipped from the ports of Bayside / St. Andrews and Saint John, on the Bay of Fundy. We produce Nuclear Stock and commercial volumes of many potato varieties, ranging from the traditional to the very latest releases. New Brunswick has been a North American leader in the introduction of genetically modified material and protected European varieties. As well, several European seed potato companies have established operations here to service markets throughout the Americas. Our tissue culture propagation system allows us to rapidly introduce new varieties in response to changing market needs. New Brunswickers have been shipping top quality seed potatoes around the world for over 75 years. We've built our success on quality, value and a commitment to customer service. We value our clients, and we're determined to constantly meet and exceed their expectations.