No-nonsense, no-frills potato news stories from around the world
A University of Idaho team is innovating agricultural fungicide development through computer molecular modeling. With a focus on potato diseases, they have screened under 60 compounds and identified 15 effective candidates, aiming to introduce novel fungicide classes targeting specific fungal proteins. The project, supported by state and federal grants, could offer growers new crop protection solutions and generate substantial royalties for the university.
Uneven airflow creates microclimates that drive late-season storage problems – persistent warm spots, localized condensation, CO₂ pockets, and eventual breakdown. This fourth Storage Season Essentials article explains what dead zones look like, why they become rot zones, and how short-circuiting, leaks, and changing resistance weaken distribution mid-season. It provides a practical weekly airflow audit, a print-friendly checklist table, and common myths that lead to costly over-ventilation and missed warning signs.
Late-winter warm spells can turn routine ventilation into a condensation trigger when moist air meets a cold pile and cold building surfaces. This Storage Season Essentials article explains dew point in practical terms and provides a step-by-step decision workflow for managing warm-spell risk. It highlights what condensation really looks like, where it forms first, what to do – and what to avoid. A print-friendly checklist table supports consistent, calm ventilation decisions.
Urschel will showcase six advanced food processing machines at Fruit Logistica from February 4-6, 2026, in Berlin, Germany. Featured equipment includes the TranSlicer 2520 and E TranSlicer Cutters, DiversaCut 2110A and Sprint 2 Dicers, the CCLL high-capacity lattice slicer, and the Comitrol Disc Mill 380. These cutting solutions enhance production efficiency for commercial food processors. Visit booth C-30 in Hall 1.1 to explore these innovations further.
Urschel will showcase its latest food processing machinery at ProPak Philippines from February 4-6, 2026. Featured products include the DiversaCut 2110® A Dicer for high-capacity cutting, the versatile Comitrol® Processor Model 1700, the KRONEN PL 40K Potato Peeler for root vegetables, the KRONEN GS 10-2 Slicer for various cuts, and the KRONEN KS-100 PLUS Centrifuge/Dryer. Visit Stand E21 to explore these solutions and enhance food processing efficiency.
This Storage Season Essentials article is a follow-up to PNT’s January 21, 2026 feature, “The storage baseline that saves crops: 10 measurements every potato facility should track mid-season.” It translates those measurements into a practical 60-minute weekly audit that helps storage managers spot drift early – widening temperature gradients, condensation risk during warm spells, dead zones, CO₂ creep, developing hotspots, and unnecessary drying. A downloadable-style checklist table supports consistent, calm decision-making.
TOMRA Food has introduced the Dry Peel Separator-16 (DPS-16), a high-capacity peeling machine that processes up to 70 tons of potatoes per hour. Designed for efficiency, it utilizes a unique no-water peeling method, enhancing operational flexibility across various vegetable sizes. The brushless design minimizes maintenance, while easy access simplifies cleaning. With over 45 years of steam peeling experience, TOMRA continues to deliver reliable, scalable solutions for food processors.
Mid-season potato storage success is rarely luck – it’s disciplined monitoring. This Storage Season Essentials article outlines ten practical measurements that act as an early-warning system for shrink, rot, bruising, and spring quality issues. It explains why temperature profiles, supply air and plenum conditions, RH and dew point, CO₂ trends, fan run logic, static pressure, outside air context, walk-through checks, and consistent logging matter. A “common scenarios” guide shows how to respond sensibly.
FPS Food Process Solutions has acquired Symotab Kft, a Hungarian company specializing in advanced coating technology for protein and snack applications. Symotab’s 3-in-1 CombiCoater combines several coating functions into one compact system, addressing space and efficiency challenges for modern food processors. This partnership enhances FPS’s offerings and aims to develop innovative solutions for the industry. Both companies will showcase the CombiCoater at the IPPE 2026 in Atlanta.
EUPPA has released its 2025 Facts and Figures fact sheet, quantifying the scale and reach of Europe’s potato-processing sector. The association says its members represent more than 90% of Europe’s processed potato production. The snapshot reports €9.8 billion in annual turnover, 7.5 million tonnes of fries and potato-derived products produced, and 25,000 jobs linked to 51 facilities. It also highlights major export volumes and strong concentration among top exporting countries.
FPS Food Process Solutions, in collaboration with GEM Equipment of Oregon, has introduced the GEM VersaFry, an innovative fryer designed for the snack and appetizer market. The VersaFry emphasizes safety, durability, and precision frying capabilities, accommodating various food products. Key features include an adjustable conveyor, easy sanitation access, and oil temperature management. This fryer aims to deliver low ownership costs and exceptional support within major food processing plants.
Urschel will attend the California League of Food Producers Food Processing Expo in Sacramento, California, February 4 – 5, 2026, showcasing two cutting systems for food processors: the DiversaCut 2110A Dicer with built-in discharge conveyor and the KRONEN GS 10-2 Slicer. Urschel says the DiversaCut supports continuous, high-capacity slicing, dicing, stripping and shredding, while the KRONEN unit offers gentle, adjustable cutting and washdown-friendly stainless design.
FPS Food Process Solutions is expanding globally, targeting the food manufacturing and technology market. In January 2026, FPS MEA will open a logistics center in Morocco, while GEM Equipment in Oregon is renovating its facility, expected to be completed by Spring 2026. Other expansions include locations in Brazil, China, and Europe, enhancing FPS’s capacity to innovate and advance food manufacturing by the end of 2026.
Thirty years after launching an early potato-industry website in 1996, Lukie Pieterse reflects on how the World Wide Web evolved into today’s always-on digital world – and how the potato community grew with it. The piece traces the shift from scarcity to information overload, arguing that trust, accuracy, and usefulness matter more than ever. At its core is a human story: friendships, mentorships, hard seasons, and a new generation inheriting both powerful tools and bigger responsibilities.
A provisionally accepted Frontiers in Plant Science paper introduces PotatoGuardNet, an AI framework for potato leaf disease detection that both pinpoints suspect areas on leaves and classifies disease type. Using PlantVillage potato images, the authors report 99.41% accuracy and an mAP of 0.9556, plus heatmaps to explain model decisions. The research highlights the promise of faster, more consistent scouting support, while underscoring the need for real-world field validation.
In 2026, the potato sector’s 2025 momentum will be tested by real-world execution. Key watchpoints include whether new processing capacity builds durable grower confidence through fair contracts and technical support; whether storage modernization improves quality, energy efficiency, and safety; and whether sustainability measurement becomes practical and beneficial for farmers.
Starting January 1, 2026, Italy and Asia will join the U.S., Mexico, Pakistan, and China in offering Urschel Cutting Machinery alongside KRONEN Systems. This partnership will enable Urschel’s customers access to KRONEN’s food processing solutions, enhancing their processing capabilities. Urschel aims to provide innovative cutting methods while maintaining a commitment to customer support, ensuring seamless integration of their robust product offerings in the market.
Entering 2026, the “Age of the Potato” article argues that converging pressures and breakthroughs are elevating potatoes from staple to strategic asset. Climate volatility, food security needs, precision breeding, smarter storage, and expanding processing are unlocking higher yields, nutrition, and ingredients. Beyond food, potato starch and by-products are feeding bioplastics, adhesives, paper, textiles, and pharma-cosmetics pathways. If innovation stays grounded, verified, and inclusive, potatoes can help reorganize food and materials systems.
Scotts Precision Manufacturing emphasizes engineering excellence with its flagship Evolution Separator, addressing modern potato production challenges like labor shortages and sustainability. The highly adjustable machine improves cleaning efficiency while protecting tuber integrity. Alongside innovative products like the Terra-Siv De-Soiler and Microlift Pro, Scotts provides solutions to enhance yield and reduce damage.
Potato News Today is launching the Living Dictionary of the Potato Industry, curated and compiled by Lukie Pieterse. This practical, plain-language reference hub is designed to help potato professionals across the value chain align terminology and reduce confusion. The Dictionary launches with an initial 800 core terms – 100 terms in each of eight sections – covering everything from agronomy and storage to trade, crop protection, sustainability, and data. It will expand over time, with reader suggestions welcomed.
In 2021, Dr. Andrew McKenzie-Gopsill at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) repurposed an old potato vine crusher to combat weeds through harvest weed seed control, preventing seeds from growing. Initial lab tests in 2022 showed a 60-95% reduction in weed seed germination, and subsequent field tests in 2023 confirmed these findings, with volunteer canola germination reduced by 26%. This effective tool offers farmers a solution as weed resistance to herbicides increases.
The renewal process for glyphosate’s licence in Great Britain is at a crucial point, with a public consultation from the Health and Safety Executive scheduled for early next year. This consultation will allow input on a scientific dossier from the Glyphosate Renewal Group, aiming for approval by late 2026. Farming organisations advocate for glyphosate’s continued use, emphasizing its importance for food security and farm viability.
MustGrow Biologics Corp. reported that its TerraSante biofertility product significantly enhanced potato yields, size, and quality in farming trials in Washington State and Idaho. A farmer noted a value increase of approximately US$5,000 per acre against a US$180 cost for the product. Results also indicated improvements in soil health, with yield increases between 26% and 40% observed in previous US trials, confirming TerraSante’s effectiveness.
Agristo’s establishment of a processing plant in Grand Forks is anticipated to significantly benefit North Dakota’s potato industry and local economy. Tom Nilson, a potato farmer, is optimistic about this partnership, which marks Agristo’s first U.S. facility. The plant will utilize Red River Valley potatoes for frozen products, including french fries and hashbrowns. Despite the excitement, Nilson feels the pressure of this pivotal business transition.
Scientists at The James Hutton Institute, alongside Grampian Growers and Aberdeen University, are developing the Phytoscosmo project to convert potato shaws into valuable ingredients for the pharmaceutical and cosmetics sectors. Approximately 51,200 tonnes of these plant byproducts are produced annually, presenting significant revenue opportunities. The initiative promotes sustainable, tobacco-free sourcing of solanesol, ultimately supporting the Scottish economy and enhancing agricultural resilience.
