A recent visit by Indonesian agricultural officials has affirmed the high plant health status of Western Australia’s seed potato industry - a good sign for continued market growth.

The Indonesian government representatives were invited by the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia and Biosecurity Australia to examine the biosecurity status of State’s potato industry first-hand in support of continued seed potatoes exports.

The visit follows a recent review of the status of potato diseases in Indonesia and changes to Indonesian conditions for importing seed potatoes.

The delegation was briefed on the low disease status of Western Australia's seed potatoes, the quarantine system protecting WA and the State’s Certified Seed Potato Scheme.

Department potato development officer Peter Dawson said Indonesian potato importers were pleased with the WA product because it posed minimal biosecurity risks and allowed Indonesian farmers to increase their potato yields.

“They like the benefits of using WA potato seed. It has no major potato diseases and after a short sea voyage it arrives in excellent condition, ready to plant,” said Mr Dawson.

“They are confident with the WA product because it is grown in an environment free of the serious diseases, bacterial wilt and potato cyst nematode.”

The group inspected potato crops in Perth and exporters’ packing sheds in Pemberton and at Manjimup.

Rice is the main source of carbohydrate in the Indonesian diet, but potato consumption is increasing.

Potato industry representatives from the WA Potato Growers Association, Western Potatoes and Potato International participated in the discussions and presentations to the Indonesian delegation.

It is hoped the delegation will recommend to the Indonesian Department of Agriculture that seed potatoes continue to be imported from WA under mutually agreed conditions.