BC Company Scores Big With China

A Vancouver, BC, Canada-based high technology seed company has scored big with China after taking the time and expense to attend the World Potato Congress last spring in Kunming, China.

Penn Biotech Inc., will reportedly provide seed potatoes for a large potato processor in China. PBI mass produces nuclear seed potatoes (ie, mincrotubers, minitubers and plantlets) utilizing patented seed potato technology.

According to PBI, the company found great interest in its seed potato product and technology at the Congress and met company representatives from McCain, Simplot, Pepsico, and Kabaee as well as with numerous domestic Chinese.

This interest reportedy culminuated in one of the world's largest processors requesting the immediate supply of microtubers to its operations in northern China.

PBI has established a Tissue Culture lab in Beijing and is currently under taking a number of field trials in Shanton and Jinlin provinces.

In 2003, Canadian exports of frozen french fries to China reached 5,261 metric tons ($3.6 million), enough to rank ninth in importance as an export destination for Canadian frozen french fries.

The level was more than six times the quantity Canada shipped to China in 2002. Virtually all the exports were from the New Brusnswick and Alberta areas where Canadian-headquartered McCain has processing facilities.

In June 2004, McCain announced its intention to produce frozen french fries in China within two years.