GOOD DAY FOR: Swiss fries, after Switzerland eased potato import restrictions to prepare for a glut of soccer fans when it cohosts the Euro 2008 tournament in June. The Swiss potato industry said it needs an extra 5,000 metric tons of spuds to feed the expected demand for French fries and other potato snacks. (Reuters)
BAD DAY FOR: Micro-brewing, after Diageo said it is closing two small Guinness breweries, in the Irish towns of Kilkenny and Dundalk, and building a huge new brewing complex outside of Dublin. The company also said it’s renovating the St. James’s Gate brewery, which houses the Guinness museum, Ireland’s largest tourist draw. The changes will cost $1 billion and 250 jobs. (MarketWatch)
