No-nonsense, no-frills potato news stories from around the world
Co-hosted by Spud Smart and NAPSO, the Mid-Storage Health Check webinar on December 17 will give potato growers and storage managers practical tools to catch problems before losses build. Experts Sastry Jayanty and Amanda Gevens will explain how to interpret CO₂ and humidity readings, spot early disease and bruising, and read condensation patterns, helping participants turn mid-season store checks into targeted, confident decisions that protect quality, margins and customer trust.
World Soil Day 2025, themed “Healthy Soils for Healthy Cities”, turns the spotlight on urban and peri-urban land – where future growth in potato demand and production increasingly meet. This piece links FAO’s global soil campaign to the potato sector’s realities, highlighting why resilient soils underpin yield, quality, storage performance and environmental compliance, and suggesting concrete ways growers and industry can use World Soil Day as a catalyst for action.
The 58th annual Idaho Potato Conference will take place on January 21-22 at Idaho State University, focusing on water management and soilborne diseases. The event attracts industry professionals and features over 70 vendors. Key presentations will include updates from various potato organizations and sessions led by new University of Idaho faculty on water-related research. A mini-symposium on soilborne diseases is also scheduled.
Potatoes may look like a simple side dish on the Thanksgiving table, but they carry a much larger story. This reflective piece traces the journey from field and storage to the bowl of mash at the centre of the meal, exploring tradition, comfort, affordability and labour along the way. It argues that potatoes quietly hold the plate – and often the family – together, embodying resilience, continuity and everyday gratitude.
The European Association for Potato Research (EAPR) will host a joint Agronomy, Physiology and Post Harvest sections meeting in Warsaw, Poland, from 16–19 June 2026. The event will focus on field agronomy, plant physiology, storage and processing under changing climate and market conditions. Registration and abstract submission open in December 2025, with deadlines on 31 March 2026, and limited financial support planned for attending PhD students and early-career research community.
Emerald Research has rescheduled its live on-farm review of the 2025 UK potato season to Wednesday, 10 December at 12:30 pm UK time. This free event will feature the OptiYield 2025 Potato Farm Report, including live links to commercial farms. A panel led by Simon Fox will analyze agronomy decisions amidst challenging conditions, with insights for 2026. Registration is required, and a recording will be provided to attendees.
The recent RUCIP webinar attracted about 65 participants from various sectors, focusing on updates regarding European potato trade rules for 2025. Organized by the National German RUCIP Committee, it highlighted the need for fair trading practices. Key features of the 2025 revision include legal clarity and streamlined processes. Expert insights and a Q&A session enriched the discussion, emphasizing continuous professional training for industry stakeholders.
The British Potato Event’s 2025 Show Directory is now live, aiding growers and suppliers in planning their visit on 19-20 November 2025 at Harrogate’s Yorkshire Event Centre. The directory features exhibitor details, seminar schedules on key industry trends, and floor plans. Free visitor registration is available online to streamline access. This event serves as a crucial networking hub for the UK potato sector.
This article by Dawn Ius highlights the impending transformation in refrigerated storage due to new federal regulations targeting hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in North America. As compliance deadlines approach, a webinar co-hosted by NAPSO and Spud Smart will address the implications for potato growers and storage managers. Featured speaker Ben Ingalls emphasizes the urgency for proactive planning to avoid operational and financial challenges.
Emerald Research will host a live OptiYield 2025 Potato Farm Report & Analysis seminar on 12 November at 12:30 pm (UK time). The session aims to analyze harvest outcomes amidst extreme weather challenges and discuss effective practices for 2026 planning. Notable guests include former Secretary George Eustice and agronomist Chris Gamble. The event is free, requiring registration, and will feature live farm footage and actionable insights for growers.
On 9 October 2025, Elea Technology GmbH hosted the Elea PEF Chip Day at its Quakenbrück headquarters, showcasing innovations in Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) technology for potato chip production. The event highlighted PEF’s efficiency, including reduced cutting force and improved product quality. Notable presentations included insights on collaborations and the launch of the Elea PEF Advantage B Micro system. The day fostered networking opportunities and emphasized Elea’s commitment to innovation within the industry.
The 2nd European Wireworm Research Network Workshop is scheduled for 9 October 2025, focusing on innovative solutions for managing wireworm pests impacting European crops. The online event will feature four thematic sessions on biology, control methods, economic assessments, and varietal interactions, encouraging discussion among scientists, agronomists, and policymakers. The workshop aims to foster collaboration and develop integrated pest management strategies to mitigate crop losses caused by wireworms.
The revised RUCIP 2025 framework aims to enhance transparency, legal clarity, and efficiency in Europe’s potato trade, effective from October 1, 2025. This updated version, created through collaboration among industry experts, introduces modern practices and arbitration processes. Key improvements include clearer definitions in contracts, faster resolution methods, and better communication standards. A supportive webinar for stakeholders is scheduled for October 17, 2025, to guide the transition to these updated rules.
Dutch chef Siem van Bruggen won the title for the world’s “most authentic” French fries at the international chip competition in Arras, France, on September 27. He is the first non-French chef to achieve this distinction. Van Bruggen, who runs restaurants in Utrecht and Leiden, uses a unique technique of boiling organic potatoes with rosemary before frying. Other categories were won by local French and Belgian chefs.
The 2025 China·Dingxi Potato Conference showcased the potato industry’s potential for innovation and growth. Held in Anding District, the event promoted the development of a national potato hub, emphasizing Dingxi’s agricultural importance. Since launching the “Potato Project” in 1996, the area has produced 900 million high-quality seed potatoes annually, boosting local economies and establishing China as a leader in global potato trade and food security.
Urschel has expanded its portfolio by offering KRONEN processing systems across the U.S., Mexico, Pakistan, and China, showcased at Pack Expo in Las Vegas. This strategic partnership includes a stake in KRONEN GmbH, enhancing food processing solutions. Their combined technologies provide customers with a broader range of machinery, including peelers, slicers, and conveyors. Urschel’s representatives will support both product lines, ensuring efficient service and access to quality solutions.
In a recent op-ed, Alex Godfrey, chair of GB Potatoes, advocates for potatoes as a nutritional staple in the UK, deserving more recognition than just a side dish. He highlights their significant nutrient content, surpassing popular sources like bananas. Despite their benefits, potato consumption is declining, influenced by lifestyle changes and branding of other staples. Godfrey calls for increased appreciation of potatoes, especially during British Food Fortnight, emphasizing their affordability and health contributions.
On 27 August 2025, leaders from the potato sector convened at the conference “Europe’s Place in a Changing Potato World” in the Netherlands to assess competitive strategies amid global trade changes. With insights from various industry speakers, the discussions highlighted internal challenges like climate impacts and market volatility, while pointing to growing global demand as an opportunity. Key takeaways included the importance of innovation, quality, and collaboration in maintaining European competitiveness.
PotatoEurope 2025, held on September 3-4 in Lelystad, welcomed 17,268 visitors from 107 countries, making it a record event for the global potato industry. The trade fair highlighted advancements in technology and practices, including a live optical sorting demo. Croptimal’s Croptiscan 9000 won the Innovation Award for its disease-detection capabilities.
Over 1,500 participants celebrated Agristo’s investment in Grand Forks at the “Taste of Belgium” event, enjoying free fries and local festivities. Leadership, including Mayor Bochenski, emphasized the region’s partnership with Agristo and the significance of their $450 million investment, expected to create over 350 jobs by 2028. The event featured agricultural discussions and grower engagement, highlighting a commitment to local sourcing and sustainable agriculture.
The Potato Storage Symposium, organized by the North America Potato Storage Organization (NAPSO) during the annual Potato Association of America (PAA) Annual Meeting, was hailed as a success by attendees, including growers, researchers, and industry leaders. Participants appreciated the interactive format and valuable discussions that addressed practical storage challenges. Positive feedback emphasized the symposium’s role in fostering collaboration and innovation in potato storage practices, setting a precedent for future events.
PotatoEurope 2025 is set to begin soon in Lelystad, Netherlands, with full preparations underway. Trial harvesting of the Alegria variety yielded a promising 60 tonnes per hectare, primarily consisting of large tubers. Visitors can expect to see demonstrations from numerous harvesting and sorting machinery brands, alongside innovations in potato cultivation. Anticipating over 15,000 attendees, the event emphasizes innovation and collaboration within the potato sector, featuring 311 exhibitors from various countries.
August 19 is celebrated as National Potato Day in the United States, honoring one of the world’s most important staple crops. While not celebrated internationally on this day, the observance highlights the potato’s global journey from the Andes to dinner tables worldwide. More than a comfort food, the potato symbolizes resilience, cultural identity, and food security—making this day an opportunity to celebrate its enduring role in farming, cuisine, and sustainability.
The 2025 Potatoes SA Innovation Symposium will address climate adaptation, consumer trust, and sustainability in the South African potato industry. Scheduled for 23-24 July in Pretoria, it aims to shift from traditional practices to innovative solutions amid rising costs and regulatory pressures. Stakeholders will explore strategies for enhancing value over volume, leveraging technology, and fostering collaboration to build a resilient potato sector, essential for local food security and informal economies.
Elea Technology GmbH will host the Elea PEF Chip Day on October 9, 2025, in Quakenbrück, Germany, focusing on Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) innovations for potato chips. The event follows the Anuga trade show and features the launch of the PEF Advantage B Micro system. Participants can expect live demos, industry insights, and networking opportunities, with additional testing available on October 10. Registration is now open, and attendance is free.
