No-nonsense, no-frills potato news stories from around the world
Lamb Weston reported Q2 FY2026 net sales of $1.618 billion, up 1%, with net income rising to $62.1 million and diluted EPS at $0.44. Volume grew 8% as price/mix fell 8%, leaving constant-currency sales essentially flat. North America volumes improved enough to restart curtailed lines, while International profitability declined amid higher costs and Argentina start-up expenses. The company reaffirmed FY2026 guidance and raised its quarterly dividend 3% to $0.38.
Potato News Today is launching the Living Dictionary of the Potato Industry, curated and compiled by Lukie Pieterse. This practical, plain-language reference hub is designed to help potato professionals across the value chain align terminology and reduce confusion. The Dictionary launches with an initial 800 core terms – 100 terms in each of eight sections – covering everything from agronomy and storage to trade, crop protection, sustainability, and data. It will expand over time, with reader suggestions welcomed.
Agristo’s establishment of a processing plant in Grand Forks is anticipated to significantly benefit North Dakota’s potato industry and local economy. Tom Nilson, a potato farmer, is optimistic about this partnership, which marks Agristo’s first U.S. facility. The plant will utilize Red River Valley potatoes for frozen products, including french fries and hashbrowns. Despite the excitement, Nilson feels the pressure of this pivotal business transition.
First Choice Foods Ltd, based in Rupandehi, is set to expand its French fry exports from the US to the UK, Australia, and Japan by early 2026. Founded by Krishna Prasad Paudel, the company produces premium potato products under the Himalayan Crisp brand. To enhance production, it is collaborating with 35,000 farmers across 26 districts, providing training in potato cultivation and production techniques.
This article explores how the shift from old energy – coal, oil, gas – to new energy – wind, solar, biomass, biogas – is reshaping the potato industry from field to fryer. It explains how fossil fuel dependence drives fertilizer, irrigation, storage and processing costs, and highlights examples of renewables and efficiency upgrades that cut risk, emissions and volatility while strengthening resilience and competitiveness across the global potato supply chain.
French fry exports from EU-27 countries fell 5% in September 2025, totaling 148,500 tonnes, attributing significant drops to the UK and Asian markets. Conversely, African exports increased by 30%. Price pressure intensified; the average cost declined to €1,115 per tonne, a 10% drop. Notably, France saw a 12% export increase due to higher production capacity, while Belgium’s figures fell 5.8% over the year.
IndexBox’s latest report shows the European Union frozen potato market continuing to grow steadily through 2035, with modest volume gains but stronger value growth driven by higher prices. Germany, France and the Netherlands lead consumption, while Belgium and the Netherlands dominate production and exports. Romania emerges as the fastest-growing market. Trade volumes remain high and both import and export prices hit record levels in 2024, with further increases expected.
This article shares the story of Maria, a hungry middle-school student, and Evelyn, the 68-year-old cafeteria worker who quietly intervened by putting 50 dollars on her lunch account. Their interaction triggered a wider wave of support and revealed the often invisible role that potatoes and frontline food workers play in children’s lives. The piece links this deeply human moment to the global potato industry’s responsibility for food security, dignity and care.
A new review in the journal Foods by a team of Chinese scientists maps the global potato-processing industry through a Chinese lens. It contrasts high-processing regions in Europe and North America with China’s fast-growing but still underdeveloped sector. The authors detail product streams, technology gaps, sustainability pressures and policy drivers, arguing that automation, branding and greener processing will decide who captures future value in fries, chips, flakes and starch.
Mordor Intelligence’s new Potato Market Size & Share Analysis – Growth Trends and Forecast (2025 – 2030) values the global potato commodity market at USD 120 billion in 2025, rising to about USD 145 billion by 2030. The study highlights steady, processing-led growth, with Asia-Pacific as the largest market and Africa the fastest-growing. Contract farming, climate-smart breeding, improved storage and emerging industrial uses for potato by-products all shape the market’s trajectory.
Record crops in western Europe have flipped the potato market from shortage to surplus, driving free-buy prices down and pushing surplus tonnes into feed, biogas and waste outlets. This article unpacks the causes of the glut, its impact on farmers, processors, traders, retail and consumers, and contrasts Europe’s situation with tighter or rebuilding markets in North America, Eastern Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America, outlining what the sector must change next.
Lamb Weston celebrates its 75th anniversary by launching a retail range in Singapore, its first entry into Southeast Asia, offering four fry styles exclusively at FairPrice. The fries feature the innovative Stealth™ batter for enhanced crispiness and are Halal-certified, vegan, and gluten-free. The company emphasizes sustainability with thinner packs made from renewable materials. Introductory offers and sampling events will promote these products, showcasing Lamb Weston’s commitment to quality and innovation in home dining.
Potato “waste” is fast becoming a strategic asset. This feature maps the main by-product streams in modern potato chains and examines options such as peel-based fibre ingredients, biogas, lactic acid, bioplastics, biochar and nutrient recovery. It highlights economic and equity questions around who benefits from new biorefineries and circular hubs, and outlines practical steps growers and processors can take to turn disposal costs into long-term value.
McCain Foods has agreed to acquire Penobscot McCrum, a specialty potato processor in Maine, focusing on its modern Washburn processing plant. This 115,000-square-foot facility, valued at over $32 million, specializes in premium frozen potato products and employs around 130 individuals. Though processing operations will be managed by McCain, the McCrum family’s farming business will remain independent under a long-term supply agreement, enhancing McCain’s North American presence.
The global potato market isn’t declining but evolving, with fresh and processed formats gaining and losing share respectively. While fresh potato consumption declines in many regions, processed varieties, particularly frozen products, are thriving. Retail strategies increasingly focus on convenience and premium offerings. As emerging markets grow, so does the importance of adapting to local consumer needs, indicating a shift in how potatoes are presented and consumed worldwide.
PepsiCo is closing two Frito-Lay facilities in Orlando due to a decline in consumer demand for snacks. A WARN filing indicates that operations ceased on November 4, affecting 454 employees, with another warehouse set to close on May 9, 2026, impacting 46 workers. The decision reflects overall market changes and follows recent adjustments in the company’s operations amid slowing sales and increased promotions.
Norwegian startup Digel is piloting a generative AI platform at Hoff SA, a key potato processor, to enhance factory operations through real-time data interaction. The system aims to bridge the gap between AI models and industrial data, allowing operators to ask operational questions and receive context-aware answers. If successful, this technology could improve efficiency and reduce diagnostic time in the potato processing sector, ultimately optimizing production and resource use.
Air fryers have revolutionized cooking habits, particularly for potatoes, by offering speed, simplicity, and perceived health benefits. Their household adoption has surged, with about 45% ownership in the UK by spring 2024. Retailers are adapting by providing dedicated air-fryer products and clear instructions. Air fryers cut energy use and enhance meal convenience, positioning potatoes as vital in quick, affordable cooking. Success requires targeted engineering and effective marketing.
FAM STUMABO is expanding its international operations with new facilities in the U.S., Spain, and Germany, enhancing customer support across North America and Europe. The Franklin, Wisconsin headquarters enables direct operations and improved responsiveness, backed by technical expertise from Belgium. This strategic shift allows broader industry service and local support, featuring an on-site lab for product testing, optimizing cutting solutions for various food sectors.
Belgium, Europe’s leading potato exporter, supplies over half of the UK’s imported processed potatoes, valued at €820m in 2024. Potatoes play a crucial role in Belgium’s culinary heritage, exemplified by the frietkot, which is recognized as national cultural heritage. With UK demand surpassing local production, Belgium’s sustainability-focused exports, particularly frozen varieties, have become essential. Adaptations to modern cooking trends, such as ready-to-cook formats, have further solidified Belgian potatoes as staples in UK households.
This report by Jurre de Haan, Frozen Potato Market Analyst at A-INSIGHTS, predicts global frozen processed potato consumption growth of 2.3% in 2025 and 3.0% annually through 2030. High prices have dampened demand, but trade volumes are bouncing back. Emerging markets will drive growth, though capacity delays and rising self-sufficiency may challenge imports and reshape market dynamics. Ongoing consumption analysis is vital for strategic business opportunities.
A recent review in the journal Food analyzes the global potato-processing industry, highlighting efficiency gains and structural vulnerabilities. China leads in processing capacity, while Europe and North America excel in high-value products. Supply-chain weaknesses, particularly raw-potato reliability, hinder efficiency, and resource-intensive processes raise environmental concerns. Innovations could enhance sustainability, but market pressures demand cleaner products. The authors emphasize the need for better farm-factory integration and technology adoption for future competitiveness.
On 9 October 2025, Elea Technology GmbH hosted the Elea PEF Chip Day at its Quakenbrück headquarters, showcasing innovations in Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) technology for potato chip production. The event highlighted PEF’s efficiency, including reduced cutting force and improved product quality. Notable presentations included insights on collaborations and the launch of the Elea PEF Advantage B Micro system. The day fostered networking opportunities and emphasized Elea’s commitment to innovation within the industry.
The potato market faces challenges reminiscent of 2017, mainly due to increased planted areas and favorable conditions resulting in surplus crops. Although the EU-4 processing area and demand have expanded, exports, particularly in the Netherlands and Belgium, have declined significantly. Despite higher contract prices, growers struggle to remain profitable amid rising production costs. Market recovery hinges on improving fries exports to restore overall performance in the sector.
FAM STUMABO is expanding its international operations with new facilities in Spain, Germany, and the United States, emphasizing localized service and growth. The new sites, including a headquarters in Franklin, Wisconsin, enhance customer support, technical assistance, and onsite testing capabilities. The expansion aims to strengthen customer relationships by integrating services and providing tailored solutions, enabling rapid response to market demands while maintaining product quality through advanced testing facilities.
