PepsiCo scraps Scottish seed potato exports to Russia

A deal to export 2,000t of Scottish seed potatoes to Russia has been scrapped by PepsiCo following criticism of the arrangement. As Ed Henderson reports for Farmers Weekly, the company said “a couple of lorries” had already left Scottish farms this week, but following discussion with growers, the decision had been made to stop future shipments.

Aberdeenshire-based Saltire Seed was supplying the large shipment of potatoes, but growers are said to have been uncomfortable and wanted an alternative market for their produce.

A PepsiCo spokesperson said: “We discussed this with our Scottish farmers and have made the decision to discontinue further shipments. …Together we have agreed that we will not continue with the shipment and that we will find another way forward for these seeds…”