No-nonsense, no-frills potato news stories from around the world
On 30 May, the world marks International Day of Potato – a United Nations-recognised observance highlighting the crop’s vital contribution to food security, nutrition, livelihoods and sustainable agriculture. With the 2026 theme, “Where potatoes grow, livelihoods flourish,” FAO is placing renewed emphasis on farmers, value chains, climate resilience and the potato’s future role in feeding a changing world.
Potatoes New Zealand has partnered with Garden to Table to promote food education on the International Day of Potato. This collaboration aims to connect young New Zealanders to their food’s origins, emphasizing the versatility and nutrition of potatoes. Through hands-on programs in schools, the initiative teaches children about growing and preparing food, fostering a genuine appreciation for food and local growers while instilling lifelong skills and confidence.
As The Transfarmation Project helps livestock and poultry farmers explore plant-focused futures, potatoes may offer one practical pathway for some farms seeking to transition out of intensive animal agriculture. While potatoes are not an easy crop and require serious agronomic, storage and market expertise, the potato sector could play a constructive role by offering mentorship, technical guidance and market insight to farmers seeking a dignified new beginning.
A new book by Potato News Today editor and publisher Lukie Pieterse examines the global potato industry at a critical turning point. Potatoes at the Crossroads: People, Climate and the Future of a Quietly Powerful Crop explores food security, climate change, water risk, disease pressure, storage, technology, markets, sustainability, and the human realities behind potato production. The book is now available as a softcover and eBook through Amazon.
The frozen potato market is undergoing significant changes as growth persists amidst price, margin, and demand pressures. A recent report outlines shifting consumer behavior and regional economic impacts, revealing reduced market value despite a volume increase. Geographic disparities in demand and rising costs complicate the landscape. Future growth remains expected but at a slower rate, highlighting the need for processors to adapt and focus on genuine consumption trends for informed strategies.
David Douches, a distinguished professor at Michigan State University, highlights his commitment to plant breeding, particularly for potatoes, which are vital for farmers and consumers. His work includes developing the resilient “Manistee” variety that extends storage time for Michigan growers and reduces chemical usage through genetic resistance. Douches also pioneers diploid breeding for improved efficiency and has created the nutritious “Blackberry” potato, showcasing successful collaborations that benefit agriculture and health.
The transition in potato crop protection is evolving towards an integrated model combining biologicals, chemistry, genetics, and AgTech. Expert Dr. Claude Flueckiger emphasizes that adoption of new solutions hinges on their proven reliability and effectiveness in real-world conditions. While early gains are visible, particularly in seed treatments, broader integration and reliance on biologicals will depend on demonstrated value amidst economic pressures faced by growers.
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.
Potato grower Stuart Applebee highlighted concerns among Tasmanian growers regarding rising costs, particularly transportation fees that have increased by $50 per tonne. Simplot is reportedly considering a financial clause to assist growers. However, Applebee believes any such agreement will not sufficiently alleviate financial pressures. TasFarmers’ Nathan Richardson warned that anticipated per-hectare growing costs could rise by 30 to 40 percent, threatening the viability of many growers.
Greenvale has earned a Silver rating from EcoVadis, recognizing its strong environmental and social responsibility performance. Ranking in the 89th percentile globally, the company excelled in Sustainable Procurement, Environmental concerns, and Labour & Human Rights. This achievement reflects Greenvale’s commitment to effective sustainability practices and the collective effort of its team. The company aims to enhance its ESG initiatives in future assessments while adhering to regulatory frameworks.
AIVA, the Agriculture Innovation, Validation and Adoption Network, has launched in Winnipeg to help Canadian farmers adopt agtech with greater confidence. Founded by FCC, EMILI, and WHIN, AIVA will test early-stage and market-ready technologies under real-world farm conditions. For 2026, its Validation Hubs will conduct nine national, multi-site projects involving tools such as spray drones, remote sensors, and farm management software.
Potato-linked financial contracts have surged over 700 percent in less than a month due to fears about the Iran war and its impact on agricultural supply chains. Contracts for difference rose from €2.11 to €18.50. Despite this, Europe faces a potato oversupply, leading to significant price drops for lower-grade potatoes. Farmers struggle with increasing production costs, making current pricing levels financially unsustainable.
