Recently, A better choice! Fruit and vegetable stores indicated a continuous supply of brushed and washed potatoes sourced from growers all across Australia via the Brisbane Markets in the Queensland suburb of Rocklea.

A better choice! retailer, George Macaron of Lawnton Country Markets, says the quality is better than ever at the moment and it’s created an increase in demand.

“We sell out daily and must get more in, more frequently, which means they are also fresher for customers – it’s better quality,” George declared.

MegaFresh Browns Plains, A better choice! independent local fruit and veg store owner, Adam Jeff, says with the current demand, they have a wide variety of potatoes available.

“Our shelves are stocked, and the quality is excellent. We are not experiencing any supply issues from the Markets at all,” Adam mentioned.

According to Tim O’Toole, Manager of O’Toole Produce, a Potato Wholesaler based in Brisbane Markets, there is no scarcity of brushed potatoes coming into the Markets that independent fruit and vegetable dealers hand select every day for their customers.

“Brushed potatoes right now are excellent quality and hand-cut fries prove value for money and are more readily available than their frozen counterparts. They also have a high nutrient content as they are grown in predominantly good volcanic soil. Russet, Yukon Gold, Red Bliss, and Sweet Potatoes are also great for hand-cut fries,” Tim said.

One of O’Toole’s potato growers is Durkin Produce in Victoria. Director, Mike Durkin says that his fresh market yields are down slightly, but supply is still stable as market prices have lifted from last year, due to supply and demand.

“Despite the rising costs, we have still been able to maintain a quality supply of brushed potatoes to the Brisbane Markets. So if you looking for plenty of potatoes for your hot fries, go to your local fruit and veg shop,” O’Toole declared.

The A Better Choice! program supports over 500 independent retailers and wholesalers across the country who supply more than half of Australia’s fresh produce each year. In Queensland, the A Better Choice! program is run by Brismark and supported by the Brisbane Markets.

Frozen French fries manufacturers operating in the Australian states of Victoria and Tasmania have recently been impacted by a perfect storm of issues affecting their growers’ crop yields and their supply chain, including wet weather and increased fuel, transport, fertilizer, and labor costs.