Sustainability

Protecting the crop, protecting the margin: NAPSO webinar connects storage disease management with economic return

NAPSO and Spud Smart will host a November 19 webinar connecting russet potato disease management with storage economics. Jeff Miller will examine varietal susceptibility and disease management strategies, while Patrick Hatzenbuehler will explore treatment costs, shrinkage, market prices, and potential returns. The session launches NAPSO’s Storage Economics initiative and aims to help growers and storage teams make informed decisions about protecting crop quality and financial returns throughout the storage season.

November 5, 2026

Potatoes offer a model for Canada’s economic growth, says Syngenta president

Syngenta Canada president Shaun Vey has highlighted Canada’s potato sector as an example of agriculture’s potential to drive economic growth. In an opinion article published by The Hill Times, he points to the importance of innovation, investment, processing capacity and export access. His message calls for predictable regulation, effective investment and infrastructure that help farmers and agricultural businesses strengthen competitiveness, create value and contribute more to Canada’s long-term economic prosperity.

November 3, 2026

On the potato industry’s screens: Recent videos explore harvest, storage and breeding

Six recent YouTube uploads provide perspectives on potato harvesting, storage, machinery and breeding. Potato News Today’s selection brings together updates from Bells Farming and Rocky Mountain Farmer, an APH Group harvesting demonstration, Trekkerweb’s PotatoEurope coverage and a Root2Res discussion featuring Teagasc researchers. Published between September and November 2026, the videos connect seasonal farm operations with equipment developments and the longer-term work of developing potato varieties for different production environments worldwide.

November 2, 2026

Water, disease and competitiveness: Europatat highlights priorities for Europe’s potato sector

Europatat’s September–October 2026 newsletter highlights water resilience, post-harvest disease protection and closer cooperation across Europe’s potato sector. Developments include a water workshop, PATAFEST research on Fusarium dry rot susceptibility, and a new POMATO platform for sharing bacterial disease knowledge. The issue also reviews Madrid’s International Potato Symposium, welcomes new members from Greece and Spain, and looks ahead to Europatat’s 75th anniversary congress in Lisbon, Portugal, scheduled for June next year.

November 2, 2026

‘Words Behind the Headlines’: Rising costs, smarter tools and the people behind the crop

This edition of Potato News Today’s ‘Words Behind the Headlines’ series explores the gap between growing potatoes and earning a dependable living. Six selections highlight Ireland’s rising costs, Bangladesh’s storage losses, an Idaho grower’s interest in artificial intelligence, African efforts to strengthen seed delivery and late blight management, and Canadian food redistribution. Together, they show why innovation, market access and shared responsibility matter for growers and the communities that depend on their continued success.

November 2, 2026

Global potato markets eye recovery as tighter supplies meet heavy processing stocks

Global potato markets may be approaching recovery, with Commodity Board pointing to reduced plantings and weather pressures alongside heavy processed-product inventories. Fresh potatoes are showing earlier firmness, while starch and powder remain subdued. El Niño adds uncertainty to the next production cycle. For growers and processors, the pace of stock clearance and the availability of marketable potatoes will help determine whether firmer prices become more widespread in the months ahead.

October 27, 2026

Smaller potatoes, bigger questions: Europe’s crop puts specifications and contracts under pressure

Europe’s smaller potato crop is sharpening concerns over tuber size, processing suitability, and contracted deliveries. Grower warnings highlight the need for flexibility, while trade guidance emphasizes clear agreements, realistic yield assumptions, and reliable quality assessments. The challenge extends beyond securing sufficient volume: growers, traders, and processors must align available potatoes with product requirements and determine how weather-related production risks are managed across an increasingly demanding and interconnected European supply chain.

October 27, 2026

CropX joins New Zealand potato trial to put regenerative farming under the microscope

CropX Technologies has joined McCain Foods and Lincoln University in an eight-year New Zealand study comparing regenerative and conventional farming systems. Researchers will assess soil health, carbon, water and nutrient use, yields, pest management and profitability across a full potato rotation. CropX’s sensors and digital agronomy tools will support monitoring and management decisions, helping build locally relevant evidence as McCain pursues regenerative agriculture practices across its potato acreage by 2030.

October 26, 2026

Who Will Grow Our Potatoes? Sharing the risks behind the contract

Potato contracts provide a foundation for planning, but their value extends beyond price. This instalment of the PNT series Who Will Grow Our Potatoes? examines how growers and buyers share risks involving weather, crop volumes, quality assessments, delivery schedules, and payment. Drawing on international examples and published guidance, it explores clearer obligations, grower representation, and practical support that can help both sides build dependable relationships and sustain viable potato businesses across successive seasons.

October 23, 2026

The diesel squeeze: Rising fuel costs put the global potato supply chain under pressure

Rising diesel prices are significantly impacting the global potato industry, tightening margins and adding financial pressure to growers and transport operators across various regions. While some government interventions provide limited relief, the variability in price increases complicates operations and contract negotiations. Major producing areas, including the U.S., Canada, and Europe, face steep diesel costs affecting harvests and future investments, raising concerns about the viability of potato operations.

October 22, 2026

Idaho’s pale cyst nematode fight demands a full eradication toolbox

Researchers are continuing efforts to eradicate the pale cyst nematode in Idaho, focusing on complementary measures. Key strategies include using litchi tomato as a trap crop, achieving over 80% egg-density reduction, and mustard-based biofumigation. The recent deregulation of Idaho’s first field is a milestone, yet challenges remain for growers. Effective management practices and ongoing research are essential for sustained progress against Globodera pallida.

October 22, 2026

South African potato prices fall more than 23% as heavy supplies meet weak demand

South African potato prices have dropped over 23%, averaging R63.46 per 10 kg bag due to high market arrivals and weak consumer purchasing power. AMT’s Conce Moraba noted that large stocks and heat-related quality issues contribute to the decline. The tomato market is similarly affected, with prices decreasing 40%. The recovery for potato growers hinges on balancing supply and demand amidst customer spending challenges.

October 22, 2026

Germany’s potato harvest set to fall nearly 25% as fresh and frozen prices move apart

Germany’s 2026 potato harvest is expected to decline by 24.8% to 10.4 million tonnes due to reduced planting and lower yields caused by extreme weather. While prices for fresh potatoes have risen significantly, retail prices for frozen products have decreased. This inconsistency raises concerns about export availability and the impact on the European market, as reduced domestic supply may limit sourcing flexibility for buyers.

October 22, 2026

From field to store: Europe’s smaller potato crop faces an uneven harvest

Northwestern Europe’s potato harvest is facing challenges due to contrasting soil conditions, with excess rain in northern Netherlands and dryness affecting Belgium and France. The NEPG forecasts a 25.4% decrease in ware potato production compared to 2025, raising concerns over tuber size and specifications. Harvest completion varies significantly across countries, and market adjustments reflect tighter supplies without guaranteed higher margins for growers, complicating the overall outlook for the season.

October 16, 2026

Who Will Grow Our Potatoes? What it takes to keep potato farming viable

Potato News Today launches “Who Will Grow Our Potatoes?”, an international series investigating the future of potato production. The series focuses on the challenges and opportunities for growers to ensure viable livelihoods amidst changing market conditions, water shortages, and socio-economic barriers. It highlights the importance of commercial relationships, sustainable practices, and innovation. Key themes will include farm economics, seed access, water management, and the role of new farmers in shaping the industry’s future.

October 16, 2026

Words Behind the Headlines: Water, grower livelihoods and a changing potato industry

This article by Lukie Pieterse highlights critical issues in the potato industry at this time, focusing on topics like water supply challenges, potato size requirements, and processing investment impacts. Key insights from industry leaders emphasize the significant human and economic factors behind these trends. The report underscores the need for clear communication in negotiations, the importance of technological advancements in breeding, and the broader community implications tied to potato farming.

October 16, 2026

Britain’s potato harvest under pressure as industry warns of smallest crop in decades

The British potato industry faces a challenging harvest due to record heat and drought, resulting in warnings of a drastically reduced crop, potentially the worst since the 1950s. Estimates suggest a loss of around 440,000 tonnes, valued between £80 million and £169 million, which exacerbates financial pressures on growers. With reservoir levels low heading into winter, conversations about water infrastructure investment are critical for future production sustainability.

October 16, 2026

Strong El Niño puts potato storage economics under scrutiny in new NAPSO bulletin

The North America Potato Storage Organization (NAPSO) warns that the intensifying El Niño phenomenon could significantly impact potato storability, energy costs, and market returns post-2026 harvest. A recent bulletin merges climate assessments with potato-storage research, highlighting challenges from warmer temperatures and uncertain precipitation patterns. Essential factors for storage management include tuber condition, local weather, and monitoring variables such as bruising and moisture levels, influencing economic outcomes.

October 12, 2026

Beyond the harvest: England’s potato growers face a critical winter water test

The recent drought update highlights the urgent need for England’s potato industry to focus on replenishing irrigation reservoirs, as many are only 0-20% full. A temporary regulatory measure allows some growers to refill outside typical periods but requires compliance with environmental protections. The situation emphasizes the importance of water management for future production, stressing that separate assessments of past yields and future resource availability are crucial for planning.

October 10, 2026

Assessing the autumn potato crop: Germany’s harvest outlook depends on both production volume and marketable quality

Germany anticipates a significantly reduced potato harvest of about 10.4 million tonnes in 2026, down from 13.9 million tonnes in 2025. Weather factors and decreased planting area have influenced this decline. Industry representatives emphasize that while production is lower, it does not necessarily mean supply shortages due to existing demand, storage conditions, and market specifics. Further assessments will clarify how the crop meets market needs throughout the season.

October 8, 2026

From resistance genes to hybrid seed: CIP sets out two routes to stronger potato production

A recent update by the International Potato Center (CIP) highlights advances in late blight resistance and diploid hybrid breeding techniques presented by Director General Simon Heck at the World Agrifood Innovation Conference in Beijing. The emphasis on local partnerships aims to enhance farmer access to these innovations. Multiple approaches, including biotechnology and hybrid breeding, aim to improve potato varieties, addressing biological challenges while ensuring market compatibility and reliable seed supply for sustainable agricultural practices.

October 8, 2026

More than calories: Can an iron-rich potato change a family’s health?

Peru is moving two conventionally bred, iron-rich potato varieties into certified seed production after decades of research. The science is promising: a controlled trial found that meals made from an iron-biofortified potato delivered substantially more absorbed iron than a conventional comparison. Yet breeding is only the beginning. Seed availability, farmer confidence, culinary acceptance, affordability and public-health coordination will determine whether a better tuber becomes measurably better nutrition for Andean families.

September 30, 2026

Beyond the congress hall: Will Kenya 2026 leave a lasting potato legacy?

From 26 to 30 October, the World Potato Congress will meet in Kenya—the first edition held in sub-Saharan Africa. Delegates from 62 countries are already registered, but the event’s significance extends beyond attendance figures. Its lasting value will depend on whether global science, investment and technology connect with farmers’ everyday constraints, and whether African growers, researchers, young people and businesses help set the agenda rather than merely host it there.

September 29, 2026

Salt in the root zone: An emerging test for global potato production

Soil salinity is quietly reducing potato performance in irrigated and coastal production regions, often before obvious symptoms appear. New research suggests that zinc and phosphorus may help certain potato genotypes withstand salt stress, but it is not yet a field-ready prescription. The larger lesson is practical: test water and soil, understand where salts accumulate, protect drainage and match varieties and nutrients to the root-zone problem before yields begin to disappear.

September 29, 2026

Less nitrogen, but the same crop?

A Prince Edward Island field study found that reducing potato nitrogen applications by 25% preserved marketable yield while some combinations of rotation and enhanced-efficiency fertiliser sharply lowered nitrous oxide emissions. The result is promising, but it is not a universal recommendation to cut rates. It demonstrates why nitrogen decisions should reflect soil supply, rotation history, weather, variety and requirements—and why measuring the crop matters more than following a habitual number.

September 28, 2026