Another challenge in potato supply chain: Increased Demand for Washed Potatoes

It is common procedure in Portugal to wash potatoes at the warehouses, and store in a refrigerated chamber for 2 to 3 months. To export, usually the potatoes are exported without any washing process, to refrigerate within a shelf life of 3-4 weeks. The demand for washed potatoes is increasing in the European Market, but this tendency is a challenge to suppliers due to the fact that the washing process decrease the shelf life of the potato, from 3~4 weeks to 7~10 days.