News August 2026

The invisible yield tax beneath the rows: Why soil compaction belongs on every potato business’s risk register

Soil compaction in potato production is a subtle yet significant issue that affects crop yield and quality. Symptoms like uneven emergence and poor canopy growth often mask the problem, leading to misdiagnosis and increased input costs. Larger machinery and tighter margins intensify this challenge. Effective management requires diagnosing soil structure, preventing damage from trafficked equipment, and implementing practices that restore soil health, emphasizing the importance of careful operational planning and organization.

August 17, 2026

Beyond tonnes per hectare: Why marketable yield per drop is becoming potato’s next benchmark

Potato businesses are increasingly recognizing water as a critical factor beyond just an agronomic input, impacting costs, quality, and market access. It’s essential to measure water productivity alongside yield to ensure that each unit of water maximizes marketable value. Effective irrigation practices must consider timing, soil conditions, and crop needs. A collaborative approach involving growers and buyers can improve water utilization, optimize quality, and enhance profitability, particularly amid growing water scarcity concerns.

August 17, 2026

The workforce is changing: How automation is reshaping the potato industry – and the people who keep it running

Labour shortages in the potato industry are prompting increased investment in automation technologies like optical sorting and autonomous equipment. While these advancements can enhance efficiency and reduce manual tasks, success hinges on skilled workers who can adapt to new roles. The transition emphasizes collaboration between experienced employees and technology, focusing on responsible changes that support affected workers. The industry’s future relies on a balance of sophisticated machinery and human expertise.

August 16, 2026

The seed multiplication gap: Why better potato genetics still struggle to reach the grower

Potato breeding has advanced significantly with improved varieties offering disease resistance and climate resilience. However, the real challenge lies in successfully multiplying these varieties into sufficient healthy planting materials at affordable prices for growers. A lack of effective seed systems leads to disparities in yield globally. This bottleneck highlights the need for investment in systems that connect breeding advances with practical seed availability for farmers, ensuring commercial success and food security.

August 16, 2026

Idaho’s potato farmers are getting squeezed from all sides

Chick-fil-A sources most of its frozen french fries from Idaho’s Lamb Weston, a company facing numerous challenges such as droughts and increased foreign competition. Farmers like Kamren Koompin are adapting through scientific advances while struggling with fluctuating prices, federal nutrition guidelines, and a movement against processed foods. Despite their productivity, farmers are experiencing price depressions, impacting their financial stability amid rising production costs.

August 16, 2026

Lamb Weston flags price risks from heat-impacted potato crop

James Gray, CFO of Lamb Weston, has identified new cost pressures facing the French fries maker, notably linked to extreme weather in Europe impacting potato crops. Despite current supply coverage, potential shortages could heighten inflationary pressures from geopolitical conflicts. During a recent conference, Gray noted reduced yields due to early crop maturation and encouraged innovation in response to competitive restaurant markets.

August 16, 2026

North America’s potato industry in 2026: Smaller acreage, strong processing demand and a market still searching for balance

In 2026, North American potato growers are navigating reduced acreage and strong but uneven demand, particularly in the US where plantings fell by over 3%. While Canadian acreage remains stable, the industry faces challenges like production costs, climate variability, and trade uncertainty. Enhanced processing capacity shapes market dynamics, yet profitability relies on balanced supply and demand. The key is aligning production adequately to sustain the industry’s viability amid evolving consumer preferences and market conditions.

August 14, 2026

The pathogen is changing: Why potato disease surveillance must become a core production tool

The potato industry’s approach to crop protection is evolving due to fungicide-resistant pathogens, symptomless virus infections, and complex pathogen movement. Effective management now demands early detection and coordinated surveillance, transitioning disease identification from mere reaction to proactive monitoring. Recent experiences, such as Denmark’s handling of the resistant EU43 genotype, highlight the importance of integrating advanced forecasting, rapid diagnostics, and biosecurity protocols to protect potato crops against emerging biological threats.

August 14, 2026

‘Nothing left behind’: How potato processors are turning waste, water and lost yield into new value

The competitive edge in potato processing is shifting from maximizing throughput to optimizing value extraction from raw materials. As production costs rise and resources become scarcer, processors must focus on refining their processes to minimize waste, improve yield, and adapt to variable raw material quality. Innovations like AI and hyperspectral imaging enhance product quality assessment, facilitating precise adjustments that boost profitability and sustainability. Furthermore, by-product valorization is evolving, encouraging the recovery of multiple components for diverse applications, ultimately transforming the potato processing landscape.

August 13, 2026

Drought pressure spreads across north-west Europe’s potato belt

North-Western Europe is facing severe challenges in potato production due to drought and extreme heat affecting countries like France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany. With an estimated 11% reduction in planted area and intensified irrigation demands, crop growth has slowed significantly. The situation threatens yield and quality, leading to fears of tighter supply in the 2026 market if sustained rainfall does not occur soon.

August 13, 2026

The fragile gift we call an ordinary day

Lukie Pieterse reflects on the profound lessons learned following a health crisis that led to hospitalization. This experience exposed the fragility of life and the importance of good health, often taken for granted. Pieterse emphasizes the value of vulnerability, human connection, and gratitude for ordinary moments. Accepting help becomes seen as wisdom, while the experience serves as a reminder to live with greater awareness, appreciating life’s simple blessings and the kindness from others.

August 12, 2026

Fifteen years is too long: Why the potato industry is rebuilding the road from genetic discovery to the grower’s field

The potato breeding industry faces challenges from climate change, evolving diseases, and high production costs, complicating the development of new varieties. Researchers are collaborating to improve data, enhance decision-making, and accelerate breeding. The merits of modern techniques like genomic selection and gene editing are discussed, yet traditional breeding remains critical. Successful varieties must balance yield, quality, and disease resistance while considering market acceptance and long-term sustainability to thrive in a rapidly changing environment.

August 12, 2026

The potato store is learning to speak: How data and AI could reveal crop losses before they become visible

The Rotten Potato Data Project, initiated by Cellar Insights in July 2026, aims to enhance potato storage management by analyzing historical failures to predict potential spoilage before it becomes visible. By harnessing machine learning, the project seeks to identify complex patterns in environmental data, allowing operators to address issues promptly. This innovative approach not only values human expertise but also emphasizes the importance of data ownership and trust within the agricultural community.

August 12, 2026

England’s drought deepens as potato growers confront mounting yield and quality risks

Record drought conditions in England threaten the potato crop’s yield, tuber quality, and market availability, with about 71% of the country experiencing drought as of August 10. Challenges include reduced tuber bulking, smaller sizes, and difficulty meeting market specifications. Irrigation is crucial, yet access to water is becoming restricted. The situation calls for strategic water management to sustain potato production amid growing concerns over food security.

August 12, 2026