Potato Gold Rush: Canada 150 spud new gold standard for fresh market

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Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
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The Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) potato breeding program has struck gold with the development of a yellow fresh market variety that could soon replace the internationally known Yukon Gold. AAC Canada Gold-Dorée has been licensed by Canadian Eastern Growers Inc., a New Brunswick-based seed potato grower, since 2017.

Canadian Easter Growers Inc. knew early on they had something special in AAC Canada Gold-Dorée, a variety the company named in honour of Canada 150. Co-owner André Côté described AAC Canada Gold-Dorée as a beautiful variety with a shiny golden skin colour and a mid-yellow flesh.

"It tastes great, better than Yukon Gold," he added. "It’s the nicest yellow variety we have. It produces a great yield and we expect it to be a profitable commercial variety."

AAFC potato breeder Dr. David De Koeyer said AAC Canada Gold-Dorée is the next generation of the Yukon Gold variety, which is one of the most well-known potato varieties found in supermarkets and restaurants.

"AAC Canada Gold-Dorée has better colour, texture and flavour with higher yield and better disease resistance than other yellow varieties for the fresh market. It also grows well in different parts of the country, which is great for commercial growers."

- Dr. David De Koeyer, Research Scientist, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

André Côté agrees and so do commercial buyers. AAC Canada Gold-Dorée will be available in most Metro supermarket chains in Quebec and Ontario in 2020. Grocery chains in other parts of the country will start carrying the variety in 2021.

With a distinctive bag that’s clearly labelled, consumers will know they’re buying the new gold standard of potatoes.

Key Discoveries/Benefits

  • Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada developed a new an improved version of the Yukon Gold potato variety.
  • AAC Canada Gold-Dorée tastes better and has better colour, yield and disease resistance than other yellow potato varieties.
  • The variety, named in honour of Canada 150, will be available in most Metro supermarket chains in 2020. It will be available in other parts of the country in 2021.

Photo gallery

Two whole potatoes and one potato cut in half.
AAC Canada Gold-Dorée potato variety developed by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
Hand holds up a potato plant in a field which showing several potatoes.
AAC Canada Gold-Dorée in the field.
A shiny 5lb bag of potatoes featuring the label Canada Gold.
AAC Canada Gold-Dorée will be sold in a distinctive bag featuring the name of the variety.