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"The average crop capacity index this year is 30 tons from one hectare, which can be evaluated as very good. Overall this year's potato crop capacity is similar to last year's, possibly it's slightly better. The potato variety with the biggest capacity for several years now is "Marlen". At this time about 20% of all potatoes are harvested, that is about 2,000 tons, which are already in production or are stored," said Krumins.

He believes that it is too early to judge the quality of the harvest because it will depend on the weather in the upcoming weeks. Besides, the standard procedure for determining the new harvest's quality is carried out about four weeks after the harvest is accepted, when the potatoes are dried, writes LETA.

"The most necessary thing for good quality harvest is dry weather because rain and humidity significantly increase quality risks. From a practical viewpoint, it is more difficult to work with the equipment in wet weather. But in regard to potato quality – if a potato has spent a day under water, it cannot be saved," said the agronomist.

All in all the weather this summer was favorable for potato growing, there were no lasting dry periods. But about a month is left until the conclusion of potato harvest, and that is crucial for their quality.

"If September will be favorable weather-wise, according to the schedule, the potato harvest will conclude in the first week of October. But if the weather in September will be rainy, ten more days have to be planned for harvesting in October," pointed out Krumins.

Latfood was established in 1993 and is the biggest chip and salty snack manufacturer in Latvia, with a market share of 40%. The enterprise's production with the brand name "Taffel" is exported to Baltic States, Russia, Great Britain, Georgia, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan.

Latfood turnover in 2010 was LVL 8.98 million, according to Lursoft database at the Register of Enterprises. That is 5.9% more than in 2009, when it was LVL 8.48 million.

The enterprise's profits in 2010 were LVL 234,539, compared to losses of LVL 69,084 it suffered in 2009.