P.E.I. potato growers who produce on contract for the province's largest processor will now have a set price before planting after winning their case at an appeal tribunal.
The Natural Products Appeals Tribunal ruled in favour of a key P.E.I. Potato Board order that board chairman Boyd Rose says is the best solution to ensure that growers have a set price before they invest.
"Growers simply want to have the processing contracts settled before they put the crop in the ground," Mr. Rose said.
He added that this would allow growers to match their supply of potatoes to demand.
Often, growers are still waiting to vote on a contract price with both Cavendish Farms and McCains long after potatoes have been planted.
As a result, growers have been planting plenty but ending up with dismal prices.
The tribunal also ruled that open market potatoes for processors can now be available Aug. 15 rather than Sept. 1.