No-nonsense, no-frills potato news stories from around the 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.
A widespread U.S. drought is adding early-season uncertainty for potato growers in several key production states, especially Idaho, Oregon, Colorado, Nebraska, Maine, Texas and Florida. While some major regions still have adequate field moisture, drought risk is shifting attention to irrigation allocations, energy costs, tuber set, quality and yield potential. The full crop impact remains uncertain, but 2026 is already shaping up as a water-watch season.
AVR has appointed Farm Power Equipment Inc. as the exclusive dealer for its potato equipment in Ontario, Canada, enhancing support for local growers. This partnership promises improved local assistance, quicker parts availability, and expert technical services. With expertise in the Ontario market, Farm Power Equipment aims for long-term growth and customer satisfaction. Effective immediately, they will oversee all AVR sales, service, and parts operations in the region.
This article examines where value is truly created and retained in the potato sector. It argues that profitability depends not only on growing potatoes efficiently, but on capturing more value through storage, processing, logistics, premium fresh categories, ingredient functionality, and stronger market alignment. Using Canada and broader industry trends as context, it shows that the future of the potato economy will be shaped by strategy, differentiation, and value chain discipline.
Potatoes have long been valued as a dependable global food crop, but their future may reach far beyond traditional fresh and processed markets. As consumer expectations, climate pressures, and new technologies reshape agriculture, the crop is increasingly seen as a versatile biological resource with potential in value-added processing, ingredient systems, climate resilience, and selected industrial applications. Realizing that future will depend on more purposeful breeding, stronger market alignment, and better whole-chain integration.
Tasmanian potato growers are negotiating prices for the 2026/27 crop amidst concerns about diesel supply. Premier Jeremy Rockliff recently confirmed stable fuel supplies but emphasized the need for farmers’ involvement in contingency planning. TasFarmers expressed the importance of clarity regarding supply risks. The government has activated an incident management team and is prioritizing critical sectors, monitoring fuel stocks, and preparing allocation plans if necessary.
Potatoes New Zealand celebrates its anniversary on April 17, reflecting on its journey since 2012 as an advocate for the country’s potato growers amid industry challenges. The organization emphasizes innovation, resilience, and commitment to enhancing crop performance and biosecurity. Chief Executive Kate Trufitt highlights the current difficulties growers face. Looking forward, Potatoes New Zealand is dedicated to supporting the industry with practical solutions to ensure a sustainable future.
Join Elea’s webinar on April 20 to explore Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) technology for optimizing potato chip processing in the Americas. Elea, a leader in PEF systems, will showcase how their technology can enhance yield, reduce costs, and improve product quality in chip production. Led by Prof. Dr. Stefan Toepfl and Kevin Hill, the session includes a live demonstration of the PEF Advantage B Micro unit.
Urschel will unveil the Little Gem Aspire Dicer, a cutting-edge machine for fruit and vegetable processing, at several upcoming trade shows starting in May 2026. This innovative dicer, developed by the Urschel I&D team, features patented technology for precision cuts and a compact design. The new model builds on the legacy of the original Little Gem, a groundbreaking invention from the early 1900s. Further details will be available on Urschel’s website.
Potato production in the UK faces significant risks due to weather volatility and reduced farming subsidies, as discussed in a recent GB Potatoes webinar. Experts highlighted the importance of innovative risk management strategies, such as parametric insurance, which offers quicker payouts based on measurable weather events rather than traditional assessments. This new coverage aims to provide essential financial protection for growers, allowing them to safeguard their crops against increasingly unpredictable conditions.
The agricultural sector is shifting from chemical reliance to biological solutions enhanced by AgTech, amidst significant restructuring among major chemical companies. Biological crop-protection solutions are gaining traction, promoting regenerative farming. The transition is uneven due to grower hesitancy and market dynamics. Companies that innovate quickly will find opportunities in this emerging market, as chemical dependence declines and biological solutions promise enhanced resilience and productivity in farming systems.
PGS Equipment, Ltd. has become the authorized dealer for LOCKWOOD potato equipment in Alberta, focusing on sales, parts, and service. Chris Laaveg, LOCKWOOD Sales Manager, emphasized PGS’s commitment to supporting local growers through education and service. Based in Taber, PGS provides extensive agricultural machinery services and a strong parts supply. For more information, contact Chris Laaveg or visit the respective websites.
Social media and digital food trends are significantly boosting interest in potatoes, says Bord Bia’s horticulture team. Trends like loaded jacket potatoes and cheese-stuffed sweet potatoes have gained traction among users. Younger consumers use digital platforms for recipe inspiration, relying heavily on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. This illustrates a responsive audience and highlights opportunities for repositioning potatoes in modern meal solutions.
Potatoes Tasmania has appointed Rob Salmon as general manager, enhancing support for the potato industry in Tasmania. As the harvest season begins, growers are optimistic about improved productivity and sustainability. John Casswell, representing the Simplot Productivity Group, emphasized the group’s collaborative efforts, where members’ contributions are matched by processors like Simplot and McCain. With around 200 commercial producers, dedicated committees address various market segments under the organization.
As the potato sector faces tighter margins, climate pressure, and stricter quality demands, the strongest return from ag technology may increasingly come from efficiency rather than yield alone. Precision irrigation, better nitrogen management, improved sensing, stronger disease prevention, and smarter storage systems can all reduce waste and protect marketable output. In potatoes, the next big ROI may lie in producing each saleable tonne with fewer inputs and fewer hidden losses.
