No-nonsense, no-frills potato news stories from around the world
Calbee, Japan’s largest snack maker, will change the packaging of select products to black and white due to supply disruptions caused by the Iran war. The move affects certain snacks like potato chips and shrimp-flavored Kappa Ebisen, but the products themselves remain unchanged. This decision, effective May 25, aims to ensure product stability amidst ongoing tensions that have impacted global supply chains.
Since Potato News Today first reported on the Middle East war’s agricultural implications on March 14, the disruption has become more severe. Fertilizer trade through Hormuz has tightened, shipping costs have risen, energy remains expensive, and packaging markets are under new pressure. For the potato industry in the U.S. and globally, the main effect so far is a deeper cost squeeze – on production, storage, processing, and logistics.
Disruption linked to the current war in the Middle East is beginning to affect potato farming worldwide through higher fertilizer prices, tighter supply, and rising energy and freight costs. Because potatoes are sensitive to nutrient timing and often rely on long-term storage, the sector is especially exposed. The greatest immediate concern is fertilizer movement through the Strait of Hormuz, but longer-term risks include higher storage costs, delayed inputs, and tighter planting margins.
Join Urschel at ProPak Vietnam from March 31 to April 2, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center, showcasing the Sprint 2 Dicer with Conveyor and the MicroAdjustable SL-14 Cutting Head. These innovative machines enhance food processing efficiency and precision. Discover the benefits of these cutting solutions for high-capacity operations and reduced waste at the Urschel booth. Learn more at Urschel.com.
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.
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.
The piece condemns the human-made humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza, emphasizing the lived reality behind headlines: cold, flooding, collapsing health services, hunger, and children paying the highest price. It rejects blanket blame of Jews while holding political leadership and enabling policies accountable for prolonged civilian suffering. Using the humble baked potato as a symbol of dignity and normalcy, it contrasts everyday comfort elsewhere with Gaza’s deprivation, urging practical compassion and meaningful action.
Scientists in Punjab, Pakistan, have developed a potato variety, Ijaz-22, that endures smoggy conditions, addressing concerns over worsening air pollution impacting agriculture. With Punjab cities frequently ranking among the world’s most polluted during winter, the Potato Research Institute has created 12 fog-tolerant potato varieties. The focus now shifts to further enhancing smog tolerance to mitigate delays in harvests and reduce crop vulnerability to pests and diseases.
A new review in the journal Foods by a team of Chinese scientists maps the global potato-processing industry through a Chinese lens. It contrasts high-processing regions in Europe and North America with China’s fast-growing but still underdeveloped sector. The authors detail product streams, technology gaps, sustainability pressures and policy drivers, arguing that automation, branding and greener processing will decide who captures future value in fries, chips, flakes and starch.
Lamb Weston celebrates its 75th anniversary by launching a retail range in Singapore, its first entry into Southeast Asia, offering four fry styles exclusively at FairPrice. The fries feature the innovative Stealth™ batter for enhanced crispiness and are Halal-certified, vegan, and gluten-free. The company emphasizes sustainability with thinner packs made from renewable materials. Introductory offers and sampling events will promote these products, showcasing Lamb Weston’s commitment to quality and innovation in home dining.
The National Potato Council (NPC) expresses disappointment at the lack of U.S. market access for fresh potatoes in the recent U.S.-Japan agreement, citing Japan’s three-decade delays. NPC CEO Kam Quarles notes the missed opportunity to leverage Trump’s tariffs against Japanese protectionism. The economic impact on U.S. farms is significant, with losses exceeding $750 million. Dr. Julie Callahan recognizes Japan’s delays as a non-tariff barrier, emphasizing the need for policy change.
Severe flooding in Pakistan’s Punjab province has inundated agricultural land, jeopardizing seed stocks and delaying crucial potato planting. Reports indicate that 1.3–1.8 million acres are affected, with significant damage to crops and infrastructure. The ongoing waterlogging and logistical issues may hinder the potato planting window from mid-October to December. Recovery efforts are critical, as this disaster threatens national food security and impacts Punjab’s key role in potato production.
In Gaza, a genocide unfolds as Israel’s military campaigns violently annihilate Palestinian life, predominantly affecting women and children. The death toll, exceeding 60,000, has resulted in extensive humanitarian crises due to the destruction of infrastructure and denial of aid. The United States’ unwavering support for Israel complicates international responses. The testimonies of survivors and journalists reveal profound grief and resilience, as global demands for justice amplify amid these atrocities.
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.
Gujarat’s Mehsana district has become a vital center for India’s frozen potato exports, contributing to a ninefold increase to ₹1,817 crore in FY25. Companies like Hyfun Foods and contract farming support economic growth, reducing import dependency from 70% to under 20%. The initiative aids 15,000 farmers, boosts rural prosperity, and presents challenges like water scarcity, necessitating government support for sustainable solutions to maintain this upward momentum.
The International Potato Center (CIP) is recruiting a Research Assistant (Seed Technologist) in Agra, India, to enhance potato seed systems. The role focuses on scaling seed potato production, managing lab facilities, conducting disease testing, introducing advanced technologies, and training stakeholders. Candidates should have a Master’s degree, relevant experience, and fluency in English and Hindi. The position is initially contracted through March 2026, with potential renewal based on performance.
HyFarm, part of HyFun Foods, is transforming potato farming in India with the Paathshala initiative, a farm school program aiming to modernize agricultural practices. Celebrating 30 farmers’ graduation in September 2025, the initiative has trained over 7,000 farmers in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. Achievements include 12-15% cost savings and 40% water conservation. HyFarm plans to expand the program to 30,000 farmers by 2028-29, enhancing rural livelihoods and agricultural sustainability.
This article, by Lukie Pieterse of Potato News Today, provides an overview of India’s rapidly expanding frozen French fry sector, with Gujarat as its core hub and new processing hubs emerging in Madhya Pradesh and Punjab. Once an importer, India now exports more fries than it consumes domestically, supplying Gulf and Southeast Asian markets. With major investments from McCain, HyFun, Iscon Balaji, Falcon Agrifriz, and Himalaya Food, processing capacity is expected to double by 2027.
On World French Fries Day, HyFun Foods—India’s top exporter of frozen potato products—celebrates the journey from farm to fork by honoring the 7,000+ farmers powering its global success. With exports to over 40 countries and a processing capacity of 1,000+ tonnes per day, HyFun is spotlighting India’s growing role in global food trade. The company’s HyFarm initiative embodies its commitment to sustainability, innovation, and empowering rural agricultural communities.
A landmark meta-analysis published in Field Crops Research highlights potassium (K)’s crucial role in enhancing potato yield and quality in China, based on 2,165 data points across 192 studies. Key findings show a 19.2% yield increase, improved nutrient uptake, and regional-specific K application recommendations. Emphasizing the need for sustainable practices, the research aims to optimize growth while addressing environmental concerns linked to K fertilization in China’s potato sector.
Asia’s frozen potato market is on a steady growth path through 2035, with volume forecast to reach 17 million tons and market value projected at $18.9 billion, according to IndexBox. Despite a slight dip in 2024, long-term demand remains strong, led by China, India, and Pakistan. Key drivers include rising fast-food consumption, expanding retail channels, and evolving consumer preferences. Full market insights in this exclusive Potato News Today report.
A Kobe University study reveals a crucial chemical relationship among potato plants, soil microbes, and potato cyst nematodes, potentially transforming pest control in agriculture. Scientists identified solanoeclepin C (SEC) as a precursor that, when converted by microbes, triggers nematode hatching. This insight could lead to effective “suicide hatching” strategies to combat these pests, minimizing reliance on harmful pesticides in farming practices.
The International Potato Center (CIP) has appointed Dr. Neeraj Sharma as Country Manager for India, effective June 9, 2025. With over 20 years of experience in agricultural science, Dr. Sharma will implement the CIP2030 strategy and enhance partnerships with stakeholders. His extensive background in potato breeding and research management positions him well to advance sustainable agriculture and nutrition security in India from his base in New Delhi.
India’s potato sector has transformed into the world’s second-largest producer by 2023, driven by improved varietal development and infrastructure investments, according to a recent whitepaper published by DCA Market Intelligence. However, challenges like climate change, post-harvest losses, and labor shortages persist. To become a regional exporter of processed products, the industry must adopt precision agriculture and technological innovations. A coordinated effort among stakeholders is crucial for sustainable growth and competitiveness in the global market.
The article “Beyond the Fields” by Lukie Pieterse addresses the horrific impact of ongoing violence against Palestinian children, highlighting that over 14,000 of them have died since October 2023. It details the devastation faced by children—from starvation and psychological trauma to loss of education and health care. The author calls for accountability and action, emphasizing that silence in the face of these atrocities compromises our humanity and collective responsibility. This is a human issue demanding urgent attention.
