No-nonsense, no-frills potato news stories from around the world
Join Urschel at the Food Northwest Process & Packaging Expo in Portland, Oregon, on April 20-21, 2026. Visit Booth 402 to explore cutting-edge solutions like the Sprint 2 Dicer, KRONEN GS 10-2 Slicer, and KS-100 PLUS Centrifuge/Dryer, designed to enhance production efficiency and precision in food processing. The expo is the largest regional trade show in the U.S., offering valuable networking and education opportunities.
In celebration of the U.S. 250th birthday, the Idaho Potato Commission and County Fair Foods revealed the world’s largest Idaho® potato display, featuring 250,000 potatoes, symbolizing America’s agricultural legacy. Unveiled before National Tater Day, the display represents the significant role of Idaho potatoes in American diets. The event, also supporting hunger relief through Feeding South Dakota, showcased community spirit and local pride while honoring American farmers and the nation’s history.
Prince Edward Island potato farmers are facing a challenge as they prepare to plant for 2026, driven not by weather or fertilizer costs but by changing consumer behavior due to the increasing use of GLP-1 agonists, medications for diabetes and weight loss. A national survey found that nearly 1.9 million Canadians are using these drugs, significantly impacting the potato market and food consumption habits.
Black Gold Farms participated in the Farm Journal Foundation’s Voice of the Farmer Garden event on National Agriculture Day in Washington. Chairman Gregg Halverson and family members joined industry leaders to plant seed potatoes, emphasizing agriculture’s critical role in the U.S. economy. The initiative aims to connect consumers with farmers, highlighting the importance of food security. Black Gold Farms remains committed to advocating for growers and strengthening American agriculture.
Effective potato handling requires meticulous system design and operating practices to minimize mechanical injuries. By adopting strategies from grain handling, such as controlled drop heights, gentle conveying, and adequate storage conditions, the industry can significantly reduce bruising. Understanding damage mechanisms and implementing thorough monitoring practices are essential for preserving quality and customer confidence.
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.
Although potatoes are not part of animal agriculture, the potato industry increasingly operates within the same food-system frameworks shaped by animal welfare, sustainability, and responsible sourcing. Companies such as McDonald’s, PepsiCo, and McCain now discuss these issues in connected terms, while organizations such as Mercy For Animals are promoting crop-based alternatives through farm-transition initiatives. The result is a broader shift that potato growers and processors can no longer afford to ignore.
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.
The U.S. potato industry is seeking economic relief and better market access as growers contend with rising costs and uncertainty, similar to the 1980s farm crisis. National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles highlighted the need for federal support, particularly for specialty crops like potatoes, to sustain family farms. He also pointed out that expanding trade with Japan could significantly boost exports despite challenges from global tensions impacting input costs.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has agreed with Mexico’s SENASICA to facilitate the export of Canadian potatoes to Mexico, enhancing market opportunities for the Canadian potato sector. This agreement, part of Canada’s strategy to expand international trade, followed Minister Heath MacDonald’s successful trade mission to Mexico. Potatoes are significant to Canada’s agriculture, with exports exceeding $3.7 billion in 2024/2025. The CFIA will support growers in compliance and market access.
Third graders at Harold B. Lee Elementary School gave varied responses to the question of potato origins during a visit from Cherie Carter of the University of Idaho Extension 4-H. Carter introduced the ePotato curriculum, focusing on Idaho’s agriculture and designed for grades three through five. The program includes hands-on lessons about potato cultivation, nutrition, and regional importance, aiming to improve students’ agricultural awareness and appreciation.
The Global Potato Industry Dictionary is now available in softcover / ebook as a new specialist reference for the global potato sector. Compiled by Potato News Today editor Lukie Pieterse, the 696-page volume offers plain-language guidance across production, storage, processing, trade, sustainability, technology, seed, breeding, and more. Designed for professionals, students, and industry stakeholders, the book aims to strengthen practical understanding across the international potato value chain.
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.
A new NetCredit study compares standard cheeseburgers and fries at 14 major U.S. fast-food chains and finds that value depends on more than menu price alone. Using patty and fries weights, published nutrition data, and normalized national pricing, the study ranks chains on cost per ounce, portion size, protein density, and calorie concentration. Whataburger led on burger value, Shake Shack topped fries value, and Five Guys served the largest fries portion.
FPS Food Process Solutions (FPS) has partnered with Quality Engineered Solutions (QES) to enhance its portfolio by focusing on utilities-driven services. QES, with over 25 years of experience in ventilation for food and beverage processing and manufacturing, will improve FPS’s integrated global offerings. Rick Allen joins FPS as Director of Global Utilities to bolster utilities processes and engineering as the company responds to rising global demand.
Lockwood Manufacturing celebrates its 25-year partnership with Struik, a leading Dutch manufacturer of rotary cultivators. By directly importing from Struik, Lockwood aims to cut freight costs and enhance savings for customers. Struik is renowned for its precision engineering and performance in cultivation equipment, aligning with Lockwood’s mission of providing reliable, high-performance solutions. Both companies are committed to advancing agricultural technology and supporting growers with quality equipment for future growth.
Agriculture is evolving with advanced technology, particularly in the potato industry, where precision is crucial due to crop sensitivity. AI-driven robotics enhance harvesting by adapting to real-time conditions, thereby reducing bruising. IoT sensors optimize soil health and resource usage, informing targeted irrigation and fertilization. These innovations lead to reduced waste and improved sustainability performance.
Research from the University of Idaho suggests that current models overestimate water consumption in Idaho potato fields during peak irrigation by up to 40%. Assistant professor Meetpal Kukal highlighted that existing crop coefficients, based on outdated methodologies, fail to account for variability in potato varieties and soil types. He proposes refining these estimates using advanced eddy covariance technology for more accurate water management and irrigation scheduling, benefiting both farmers and water managers.
The Little Potato Company celebrates its 30th anniversary by launching a new logo symbolizing its growth and mission to “Feed the World, Better.” Founded in 1996, it has evolved from a small father-daughter business to a trusted North American brand known for quality, sustainability, and innovation. CEO Angela Santiago reflects on the journey, emphasizing gratitude for their partners and commitment to family values and thoughtful growth. Celebrations and campaigns are planned for 2026.
January and February can feel steady in potato storage, but this “quiet shift” is when small changes often start – a warm corner, creeping CO₂, widening temperature spread, or RH instability that quietly sets up late-season trouble. This NAPSO issue offers a practical data-to-decisions playbook: prioritize trendlines over snapshots, spread over averages, and context over theory. It outlines key signals, sensor placement basics, and simple daily/weekly routines that reduce shrink, catch stress early, and prevent costly surprises.
NAPSO and Spud Smart will host a practical webinar, Seed Storage: Protecting Quality from Harvest to Planting, on February 20 at 10:00 AM PST. The session brings together experienced seed and storage professionals to discuss the decisions that most affect seed performance, from field and harvest conditions to storage design, disease control, and monitoring. For growers and storage managers, it offers timely, actionable guidance to safeguard planting-ready quality this season.
In late winter, potato handling operations face increased bruising risk due to colder tubers and tighter timelines. This article outlines practical strategies to reduce damage from handling by identifying critical impact points and making operational improvements without major investments. Key recommendations include lowering drop heights, matching belt speeds, and conducting pre-run audits to prevent cumulative impacts. By treating handling lines as part of storage quality management, operations can enhance pack-out quality and minimize claims.
FPS Food Process Solutions has announced the addition of Southern Fabrication Works (SFW), a respected provider of custom industrial food processing equipment, particularly in the potato processing sector. This partnership enhances FPS’s capabilities with advanced technologies and comprehensive engineering solutions, allowing for improved end-to-end processing for customers globally. Both companies express enthusiasm about the collaboration, emphasizing shared values and a commitment to high-quality solutions.
Due to an oversupply of potatoes in Europe and the U.S., Idaho farmer Kent Sutton began offering free potatoes to those in need, requesting only that recipients cover shipping costs. After posting his plea on social media, he quickly arranged for ten semi loads, totaling 420,000 pounds, to be delivered to food banks and charities. Sutton anticipates needing to give away more potatoes as he accesses his stored crops.
Wisconsin’s potato industry is facing a national oversupply and declining prices, despite steadier local market performance. While farmers see prices of $15.00 to $16.00 per hundredweight, uncontracted potatoes in regions like Idaho are as low as $2.00 to $3.00, well below the $12.00 breakeven point. The upcoming Grower Education Conference will focus on price issues and potential regulatory changes affecting crop-management tools, such as neonicotinoids.
