About Us
From Family Roots to Industry Innovation
Founded in 1941, Alex McDonald Ltd has been at the heart of New Zealand’s potato industry for more than 80 years. What began as a family-owned business on the Canterbury Plains has grown into the country’s leading supplier of seed potatoes, recognised for both quality and innovation.
For the first six decades, the McDonald family guided the business with vision and integrity, establishing strong partnerships with growers across the South Island. Today, the company is proudly owned and managed by the Hughes family — Kerry, Logan and Hannah — continuing the family-business tradition, while driving forward with new technology, global partnerships and a fresh outlook.
About Us
Our Values
- Quality. Excellence doesn’t happen by chance. Every potato starts with strong genetics and meticulous production.
- Relationships. We value the strong relationships we’ve cultivated with our growers and customers.
- Innovation. From pioneering variety trials to purpose-built facilities, we’re always looking ahead.
- Community. We’re proud to support local initiatives, including ongoing sponsorship of the Canterbury Westpac Rescue Helicopter.
A Proud Legacy. A Bright Future
From humble beginnings to nationwide leadership, Alex McDonald Ltd has always been about more than just potatoes. We’re about feeding communities, supporting growers, and building an industry that’s resilient and future-focused. We’re proud of where we’ve come from, and excited about what comes next.
Innovation is At Our Core
In the late 1970s, Alex McDonald Ltd became the first to introduce the Pathogen Tested Scheme to New Zealand, in partnership with Plant & Food Research in Lincoln. This was a game-changer for the entire industry, setting a new standard for healthy, disease-free seed potatoes. Today, that scheme remains the backbone of potato production nationwide, and we’re proud to have been its pioneers.
