Optimism is growing within the potato industry that new markets may be opening up for Island potatoes. The Summerside Port Corporation Inc. is working to bring back potato shipping from the Summerside Wharf as a major contributor to the local economy. One ship just left Government Wharf in Summerside carrying 40,000 bags of Island potatoes destined for Venezuela and another ship is moored at the wharf to move another shipment elsewhere. The new direction for wharf operations and the presence of two vessels provides reason for optimism that shipment by water from Summerside may have a role in the potato industry's future.
Bill Enserink, president and CEO of Red Isle Produce of Charlottetown, one of the main Island shipping companies, said they are always on the lookout to expand trade on an international basis. He said there are several factors that can impact this trade but it all comes down to demand for the product. Enserink said, "It really depends on the markets that we ship to and the size of the customer. Some customers are just not big enough to receive that volume of cargo. Some customers are and it's totally dependent on freight rates and times of the year and there's a lot of factors."
Export by water is an attractive way for the industry to do business because it is a faster way to move product than shipping by container. "It's my preferred means of transportation," Enserink said. "But it has to make sense for the customer."
Bill Enserink, president and CEO of Red Isle Produce of Charlottetown, one of the main Island shipping companies, said they are always on the lookout to expand trade on an international basis. He said there are several factors that can impact this trade but it all comes down to demand for the product. Enserink said, "It really depends on the markets that we ship to and the size of the customer. Some customers are just not big enough to receive that volume of cargo. Some customers are and it's totally dependent on freight rates and times of the year and there's a lot of factors."
Export by water is an attractive way for the industry to do business because it is a faster way to move product than shipping by container. "It's my preferred means of transportation," Enserink said. "But it has to make sense for the customer."
