No-nonsense, no-frills potato news stories from around the world
Egypt can successfully grow Western potato varieties, but their success hinges on local climate suitability, irrigation, seed quality, and market needs. Some varieties, like Santana and Innovator, have demonstrated potential in the country’s processing sector. However, caution is advised with varieties like Russet Burbank due to their specific agronomic demands. Ultimately, disciplined trials and understanding local conditions are essential for commercial viability.
Potato growers in Minnesota and North Dakota are warning that delays in H-2A visa processing could disrupt 2026 planting in the Red River Valley. Regional reports say some South African workers cannot secure interview appointments until July, well past the spring labor window. Broader U.S. reporting suggests the problem extends beyond potatoes, with growers in multiple sectors facing costly administrative holds and rising uncertainty over seasonal labor arrivals this year.
Royal HZPC Group is focusing on hybrid potato breeding, launching its NOVA varieties with the first in Kenya. CEO Hans Huistra highlights the benefits, including faster development of disease-resistant potatoes grown from seed, crucial for small-scale farmers lacking quality seeds. This innovative breeding addresses food security challenges.
Kenya has introduced new potato varieties, Malaika and Glen, to combat potato cyst nematodes (PCN) that threaten yields. Developed through international collaboration, these varieties promise strong resistance to PCN while meeting local agricultural demands. By offering practical advantages for farmers, they could improve productivity and food security. Successful adoption depends on ensuring seed availability and effective management practices. Overall, these innovations could significantly enhance Kenya’s potato sector.
Potato prices in South Africa have plummeted by up to 50% compared to August 2024 due to favorable weather and good yields, according to David Nel of GROW Fresh market agency. Loadshedding and winter frosts in recent years caused previous higher pricing. Though producers expanded planting, upcoming prices may remain below production costs. There are limited ways to sell fresh potatoes, emphasizing the need to avoid waste and efficiently distribute supplies.
Kenyan scientists, led by KALRO, are developing genetically modified potatoes resistant to late blight, a significant threat to crops and farmers’ livelihoods. They have inserted resistance genes into popular varieties like Shangi, Asante, and Tigoni, showing promising results in trials. Plans for non-exclusive licensing aim to enhance farmer access. With Kenya’s shifting GMO policy, the project is nearing commercialization, potentially reducing fungicide reliance and loss.
Al-Jouf Agricultural Development Company has established a state-of-the-art French fry processing plant in Saudi Arabia, in collaboration with Kiremko, aimed at converting locally grown potatoes into premium products. In just 12 months, the facility’s capacity expanded from 5 to 7.5 tons per hour, featuring advanced washing, peeling, cutting, drying, and frying technologies. General Manager Abdulmohsin Aljarallah highlighted the project as a testament to excellence and strategic partnership, enhancing the Saudi food industry’s innovation and reliability.
Scientists from the University of St Andrews and The James Hutton Institute have introduced two new potato varieties, Malaika and Glen, in Kenya to combat potato cyst nematode (PCN) threats. Collaborating with various institutes and local farmers, these varieties have passed trials and been added to Kenya’s National Variety List. They respond to farmers’ needs for low dormancy and fast cooking traits, aiding food security and benefiting the potato value chain worth $500 million annually.
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.
Morocco’s potato exports have surged in the 2024-2025 season, bouncing back from a five-year decline. Shippers exported 42,900 tons worth $14.9 million from July 2024 to May 2025, a 5.7-fold increase from the prior season. This recovery is attributed to renewed trade with West African nations and stable European demand, following a dismal 2023-2024 season with only 7,400 tons shipped.
South Africa’s potato industry is gaining global recognition for its grower-led innovation, inclusive development, and research-driven strategy. During the 2025 Potatoes South Africa Innovation Symposium, WPC President Peter VanderZaag and PSA CEO Willie Jacobs highlighted the sector’s high yields, transformation initiatives, and collaborative momentum toward WPC 2026 in Kenya.
Soft rot and blackleg are two of the most destructive bacterial diseases in potato production, primarily caused by Pectobacterium and Dickeya species. This article, compiled and published by Potatoes SA. outlines how these pathogens infect plants through wounds and moist conditions, leading to rapid tuber decay and stem collapse. It highlights symptoms, transmission pathways, and key risk factors, while emphasizing the importance of using certified seed, good sanitation practices, and environmental management to prevent outbreaks and protect yields.
On May 30, Potatoes South Africa (Potatoes SA) will celebrate the International Day of the Potato, emphasizing its role in food security and rural livelihoods. The theme “Shaping History, Feeding the Future” highlights the potato’s importance. Activities include Fresh Produce Market Days in Cape Town and Johannesburg, featuring live broadcasts, educational content, and engagement activities. Potatoes SA aims to increase per capita consumption while showcasing industry collaboration.
Potatoes are crucial for food security and income in Ethiopia, where small-scale farmers dominate agriculture. Since 1975, the International Potato Center (CIP) has partnered with the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR) to improve potato productivity and develop better varieties. Gender-specific preferences emerged during participatory varietal selection, helping identify high-yielding, disease-resistant clones that can potentially increase yields significantly, enhancing farmers’ livelihoods and food security.
Rising electricity costs and unreliable power supply are pressuring South African farmers. Many are adopting solar energy as a strategic solution to ensure cost savings and energy security. The Performance Linked Instalment Sale (PLIS) model offers farmers ownership without upfront costs, aligning payments with energy generation. Successful case studies demonstrate significant savings and tax benefits, making solar a viable option for agricultural independence and sustainability.
An article from the International Potato Center discusses the increasing global trade in potatoes and the associated risks of spreading pests and diseases. It emphasizes the importance of strengthening National Plant Protection Organizations (NPPOs) for effective pest management and diagnostics. The article highlights various threats like Bacterial Wilt, Potato Cyst Nematodes, and Soft Rot Pectobacteria, and outlines collaborative training efforts in various regions to improve diagnostic capacities and foster trust among trading nations.
VarScout is a cloud-based application developed by CGIAR’s International Potato Center and RESONANZ Group, aimed at improving crop varietal data collection for farmers, extension agents, and policymakers. It addresses knowledge gaps in crop varieties among smallholder farmers and enhances data accuracy for breeders and funding agencies. The app’s recent advancements include improved features, expanded crop focus, and capacity building, ensuring equitable agricultural innovation.
Egypt’s potato exports to the UK surged significantly, increasing 2.7 times in 2024, reaching 23.7 thousand tons and generating $13.5 million in revenue. The export period ran from February to August, peaking in June. With a 15.7% market share, Egypt is poised to become one of the top three potato exporters to the UK, challenging France’s position. Overall, UK potato imports almost doubled due to declining domestic harvests.
Potatoes South Africa (PSA) has assured consumers of stable potato supplies despite recent adverse weather such as black frost and drought. CEO Willie Jacobs emphasized that diversified production across 16 regions can mitigate local shortfalls and urged against panic buying, which can inflate prices. Most farmers use irrigation systems to bolster production resilience, delivering approximately two million 10kg bags weekly.
Rwanda’s potato sector has transformed through a collaboration between RAB and the International Potato Center (CIP), supported by USAID’s AID-I GLR initiative. Eleven new potato varieties have been introduced, enhancing yields and resilience against climate challenges.
Egerton University, the National Potato Council of Kenya, and KALRO have launched the Kenya Sustainable Potato Initiative (KSPI) to enhance sustainable potato farming practices. The three-year, US$1.5 million project aims to improve productivity and earnings for 150,000 farmers, especially targeting women and youth. It will create over 4,000 jobs and indirectly benefit an additional 300,000 farmers through improved marketing and access to resources.
PepsiCo South Africa has invested R746m (about $41.2m) in its Isando factory to set up a new potato chip production line. This initiative will create 100 jobs and cater to the increasing demand for snacks in Southern Africa. The project supports local suppliers and contractors, fostering the growth of small- to medium-sized enterprises while minimizing transport needs by being near key potato-growing regions.
The World Potato Congress Inc. will host a webinar on December 6, 2024, focusing on supporting smallholder potato farmers in Kenya. Led by Christopher Gasperi of FreshCrop Limited, the event will explore innovative strategies and support systems for enhancing farmers’ livelihoods through decentralized hub sites. Gasperi’s expertise and leadership have significantly impacted Kenya’s agricultural sector, aiming for sustainability and improved practices.
Sudan faces a severe hunger crisis, affecting over 26 million people due to ongoing conflict. Farmers in Eastern Sudan are increasingly cultivating potatoes and sweet potatoes, crucial crops that yield high nutritional value with less water. Supported by the International Potato Center, local initiatives have improved food production this winter. With strained food systems, these resilient crops emerge as a vital lifeline for communities in distress.
In a recent edition of the South African national potato magazine CHIPS, Lukie Pieterse discusses the numerous challenges facing potato farmers globally. Key issues include rising operational costs due to increased prices for inputs and climate change, which disrupts growing seasons and threatens soil health. Despite these challenges, innovation and government support are crucial for adaptation.
