Potatoes < Back to Crops •  Tasmania's potato industry is the largest sector of the State's vegetable industry, making up approximately 70% of the total value.  The Tasmanian potato industry comprises a processing sector, fresh market sector and a seed sector.  About 80% of potatoes are grown for processing, with the industry focussing on frozen French Fry production. • Varieties - Russet Burbank, Ranger Russett and Shepody • Simplot Australia production areas:  Traditionally based on the north-west coast of Tasmania, potato production is increasingly moving to the non-traditional sandy soils of the Midlands and north-east of Tasmania. • Soil types – mainly heavy red krasnozem, with some loam and sandy soils • Planting time from mid September to December (most in October) • Harvest from mid January to July (Spring to Autumn) with the bulk of intake in May and June.  Fresh market potatoes are planted, harvested and grown nearly all year round to supply the local markets.