Pollestad Potatoes

Supervisor

This can be a boss. The supervisor expresses the opinions and analyzes of Stavanger Attenblad.

The worth of meals has elevated by 4.9 p.c prior to now 12 months, in accordance with figures from Statistics Norway (SSB). The nice outdated potato is likely one of the gadgets that has pushed up meals costs. The worth went up by as a lot as 12.6 p.c from Might to June, and virtually 29 p.c since June final 12 months. In an interview with VG, the Minister of Agriculture Geir Pollestad (Sp) blames the grocery chains.

– The costs of potatoes that we see now are too excessive. In any case, one thing occurs to the value after the farmer delivers the potatoes, the Minister of Agriculture advised the newspaper.

He believes that NOK 40 per kilogram for potatoes is just too excessive, and says that potatoes are necessary from a preparation perspective. Pollestad is true on each counts, not serving to the value we pay for the potato.

It’s proper to say the grocery commerce, as a result of on the best way from the farmer to the shop, there is a rise within the worth of the potato which appears to be too excessive. It is no secret that those that promote meals in Norway are among the many richest within the nation.

It’s extra questionable whether or not the Minister of Agriculture has the appropriate drugs to repair the issue that’s finally with the patron: the excessive costs.

Not surprisingly, each the grocery chains and the importer Bama agree with Pollestad. They level to greater manufacturing prices, together with vitality and labour, together with challenges within the import market, as worth drivers. Then comes a posh system of customs and makes the entire thing difficult.

Norway has versatile customs safety, which implies that when Norwegian potatoes run out, the obligation is lowered or eliminated. After the Norwegian potato harvest ends round Might 1, there was a 0 p.c obligation on potato imports.

The customs obligation will make it much less worthwhile to import one thing that we will produce ourselves. That is carried out, amongst different issues, to extend our self-sufficiency in meals, which most individuals agree has change into extra necessary in recent times.

Within the autumn, the Minister of Agriculture will enhance the obligation on potato imports, which capable of make the potatoes much more costly. However, Pollestad believes that it might be fallacious responsible customs safety as a motive for the excessive costs of potatoes.

He could also be questioning if Pollestads has any particular qualities as a rider, on a regular basis he appears to be driving two horses. The potatoes will change into cheaper, and the customs obligation will make the potatoes dearer.

The agricultural coverage and Pollestad should take care of the farmers and put together higher and self-rescue. Nevertheless it should additionally have in mind the patron and affordable meals costs. Customs capable of enhance nationwide manufacturing and contribute to higher self-sufficiency, however customs capable of worth will increase as effectively. Then the consumer loses – once more.