In Kanzaki City, Saga Prefecture, farmers are busy harvesting potatoes destined for potato chips, a key agricultural product for the region. One such farmer, Yoshiki Egashira, cultivates the “Okhotsk” variety across a 1-hectare field under a fixed-price contract with a major snack company. This agreement guarantees a stable market and income, shielding growers from price volatility—a growing concern in global agriculture (FAO, 2023).
Mechanized Harvesting and Weather Challenges
Egashira uses large-scale machinery to dig up potatoes, each measuring around 10 cm in diameter. The equipment removes soil and debris, streamlining the sorting process. However, this year’s cold March and April delayed growth, reducing yields by an estimated 10–15% compared to 2022 (Saga Prefecture Agricultural Report, 2023). Despite this, Egashira notes that the potatoes’ quality is superior, with higher starch content—a critical factor for chip production (Japan Potato Association, 2023).
The Bigger Picture: Japan’s Potato Industry Trends
Saga’s harvest aligns with national efforts to expand domestic potato production, as Japan imports over 20% of its processing potatoes (MAFF, 2023). Contract farming, like Egashira’s, now accounts for 40% of Japan’s chip-potato supply, reducing reliance on imports and supporting rural economies.
Kanzaki’s potato harvest highlights the advantages of contract farming: price stability, quality control, and resilience against climate fluctuations. While weather remains a challenge, partnerships between growers and manufacturers ensure sustainability for Japan’s snack industry.
