Market Intelligence

Potato packaging specifications / SANS 1756

This South African standard was prepared by the National Committee SABS/TC 006/SC 02, Paper, board and pulps – Packaging, paper and board, in accordance with procedures of the South African Bureau of Standards. The standard covers paper bags that are intended for use primarily for the packaging of potatoes that are over 5 kg. The standard was published in September 2017 with the following physical properties of paper:

All producers are encouraged to contact the Marketing Division of PSA for the full packaging standards at: jacok@potatoes.co.za 

Potato regulatory environment

The sale of potatoes (locally and/or in foreign markets) is governed by the Agricultural Product Standards Act 119 of 1990. At the close of the year under review the local regulations had been submitted to the DAFF for review and amendment. All proposed amendments and product quality inspectors, to name but a few, were discussed. Key changes to the local standards for potatoes pertain to:

Potato Size groups:

(i) To amend the following primary size groups:

Table 11: Size groups to be amended

(ii) To amend the following optional size groups:

Table 12: Optional groups to be amended

Mixed potato size groups and tolerance levels

It was decided – Not to recommend a “mixed” size group and in the event of non-compliance with the proposed size groups and tolerance levels, that a pocket of potatoes be downgraded to a Class 2 or Class 3.

Quality Factors on the added “Class 3” in the export standards

It was decided to recommend the addition of a “Class 3” in the export standards for all regions.