No-nonsense, no-frills potato news stories from around the world
The prolonged spell of warm weather in Ireland this week has dampened home consumption of potatoes, according to the Irish Farmers Association’s latest Potato Market Report, issued on June 24. However, IFA noted that the food service sector should see a welcome boost as school holidays get underway next week. Queens are slowly coming onto the market, with demand reported[Read More…]
The global frozen potato snacks market is experiencing growth driven by consumer demand for convenient, ready-to-cook options and the influence of busy lifestyles. Key products include french fries and tater tots, enhanced by advancements in freezing technology and packaging. Opportunities in retail and foodservice, along with a focus on healthier and sustainable options, are noted. Strategic partnerships and online grocery shopping further support market expansion.
Elea Technology has launched new PiCon solutions to enhance real-time transparency and automation in Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) processes, especially within the food industry. A webinar on June 30 will introduce the PiCon Sense, Vision, and Flow tools, showcasing their potential to optimize cutting, monitor belt loads, and track resource consumption. These innovations aim to improve efficiency, product quality, and sustainability in PEF applications.
Potato storage is facing increasing challenges due to climate change, which affects crop conditions prior to storage. Factors like heat stress and drought alter tuber physiology, impacting dormancy and disease risk. Effective storage now requires thorough understanding and management of the crop’s field experience. As the storage becomes a critical climate-risk management system, improved monitoring, risk sorting, and enhanced infrastructure are essential for safeguarding potato quality and minimizing losses.
Potato processing is crucially linked to the quality of raw materials cultivated in the field, emphasizing the need for collaboration among growers, processors, and storage facilities. As various challenges like climate instability and increasing quality demands arise, strong communication and data sharing become essential. The future will require a holistic approach to improve crop quality, streamline processes, and enhance sustainability, ultimately ensuring a successful, integrated potato processing system.
Aqueus, a Michigan-based company, introduces hydrogen-based crop chemistry to address challenges faced by potato growers, like rising costs and environmental concerns. Their main product, Growthful, aims to enhance soil conditions and crop performance without replacing existing practices. While initial field trials show promising results, independent validation is essential. Aqueus seeks partnerships with growers and agronomists for further testing to establish transparency and trust in their claims regarding efficiency and sustainability.
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 cultivation is a challenging endeavor, sensitive to climate variations and agricultural practices. As climate instability, water scarcity, and disease pressures rise, growers must adopt smarter, more resilient systems. Effective water management, soil health, and integrated pest strategies are crucial. While advancements in technology and variety development are important, they must be paired with comprehensive management approaches to ensure the potato remains a vital global food source amid increasing demands.
On International Potato Day 2026, Kent Nnadozie emphasized the potato’s role as a vital food source and genetic resource, essential for global food security. Celebrating its cultural significance and agricultural contributions, he urged for continued investment in conservation and research. Highlighting successful collaborative projects that benefit farmers, the call to action advocates for renewed cooperation in preserving potato diversity to ensure future resilience and adaptability in changing environments.
A leading food processing equipment group has acquired Tummers Group and Van der Giessen, strengthening its position in the potato processing industry. Combining the expertise of Kiremko, Idaho Steel, Reyco, Tummers, and Van der Giessen, the new entity aims for €400 million in annual revenue. This strategic move enhances innovation, sustainability, and customer support across global markets, focusing on resource efficiency and reducing costs in french fry and potato flake processing.
Modern potato storage has evolved from a passive holding phase to a critical management system that significantly impacts the entire potato value chain. It safeguards grower income and market quality while addressing challenges like climate change and resource costs. The post-CIPC era necessitates advanced management approaches, integrating technology with human expertise. Efficient storage is crucial for food security and deserves heightened focus in industry practices and policies.
Father’s Day evokes deep reflections on memory and fatherhood. It serves as a reminder of the complex emotions tied to our fathers and our own experiences as fathers. The author shares personal insights about navigating imperfection in parenting, emphasizing the importance of understanding and forgiveness. He hopes to be remembered not just for his failures, but for the love and effort he invested in his children, acknowledging that true fatherhood is a journey marked by humility and enduring love.
The global potato processing sector is evolving beyond traditional products like French fries to encompass quality management, sustainability, and technological integration. With growing demand, processors face challenges such as volatile costs and environmental pressures. Future success hinges on strong relationships with growers, data-driven automation, and efficient resource use. The industry must adapt to shifting market dynamics, prioritizing comprehensive processing strategies for enhanced profitability and sustainability.
The North America Potato Storage Organization (NAPSO) will host a free online webinar on June 19, focusing on potato storage management. Titled “Storage Turnover: Finishing Strong & Preparing Ahead,” it is aimed at helping growers and storage managers optimize their processes. Expert speakers Tyson Arnold and Nathan Gelles will cover key topics such as sanitation, storage planning, and crop protection to enhance profitability and crop quality in the storage season.
Greenvale, a major potato supplier, is experiencing a leadership transition as managing director David Rankin, who has been with the company for over 30 years and served as MD since 2022, departs for new opportunities. An interim leadership structure is in place to ensure continuity. The company remains committed to delivering high-quality products and growth within the Produce Investments Group, according to a recent statement.
A new insecticide, Zivalgo, has been introduced for effective control of Colorado potato beetles and other pests, according to Zsofia Szendrei from Michigan State University. As a Group 30 insecticide, Zivalgo operates through a unique mechanism compared to existing products, aiding resistance management. It controls all life stages of beetles and can be applied until 14 days before harvest, but should be reserved for specific conditions to protect its efficacy.
Last week, Europatat held its annual Congress in Brussels, attended by 90 members. A new Board was elected for 2026-2030, appointing Peter Ton as President, alongside Vice-President Vlastimil Rasocha and Treasurer Francisco Moya. Key priorities include trade, plant health, food safety, and sustainability reporting. The 2025-2026 Activity Report was presented, detailing Europatat’s initiatives and is publicly accessible on their website.
The potato industry faces increasing pressures from climate change, market expectations, and resource management, prompting a shift in success measurement from yield alone to capturing usable value per hectare. Viewing potatoes as a solar-biomass crop emphasizes the need for better management in genetics, agronomy, water use, soil health, storage, processing, and market alignment. Embracing this holistic approach can enhance profitability and sustainability while addressing evolving consumer and processor demands.
Scott Walker, CEO of GB Potatoes, highlights that the potato industry illustrates the challenges faced by modern agriculture, emphasizing its historical importance in the UK food system. The sector has endured multiple crises, including Brexit, the pandemic, and inflation, impacting business resilience. Despite ongoing pressures, Walker expresses cautious optimism for future growth, citing the upcoming GB Potato Summit as an opportunity for collaboration and innovation.
Potato processing relies on consistent quality and efficiency, prompting processors to adopt advanced sorting and screening technologies. Traditional methods alone are insufficient for identifying defects and ensuring optimal quality control. Automation, including AI and machine vision, enhances defect detection, reducing waste while improving product yield. Integrated systems improve operational performance, protect equipment, and streamline production, allowing facilities to better manage quality and efficiency in the face of evolving industry demands.
Researchers at Michigan State University have developed five new potato varieties aimed at enhancing the U.S. potato chip supply by increasing disease resistance, long-term storage, and processing reliability. Named Manistee, Mackinaw, Petoskey, Huron Chipper, and Blackberry, these varieties improve quality maintenance over months of storage. They are essential for Michigan, the leading potato producer for chip processing, where about 70% of the crop is used for chips, ensuring consistent supply year-round.
A new study reveals that ancient potato farming in the Andes significantly influenced human evolution, particularly among Indigenous populations. Researchers from UCLA and the University at Buffalo found that natural selection favored Andeans with multiple copies of the AMY1 gene, enhancing starch digestion capabilities since the cultivation of potatoes 6,000 to 10,000 years ago. These findings contribute to understanding dietary adaptations in high-altitude environments.
The potato harvest in Andalusia has decreased by 5%, roughly 10,000 hectares, due to severe storms. Despite this, yields are projected to surpass those of 2025. Marco Román from Asociafruit voiced concerns over the market dominance of low-quality French potatoes, which contain harmful acrylamide levels and are priced the same as new potatoes. The upcoming Fruit Attraction fair will spotlight potatoes, celebrating their global agricultural significance.
The Irish potato market is currently experiencing key seasonal changes influenced by hot weather, irrigation needs, and strict European quality standards, as detailed in the IFA’s Potato Market Report from May 27. Early potato varieties from Wexford are set to gradually enter the market, while maincrop plantings near completion. Additionally, Germany and France report reduced planted areas, impacting supply. Overall, growers must manage crops amid these challenges.
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.
