Trends

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

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

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

North American potato acreage falls to lowest level in more than 40 years

Combined potato plantings in the U.S. and Canada have reached a four-decade low, with 1.268 million acres planted in 2026, a 2.4% decline from 2025. The U.S. saw the most significant decrease, notably in Idaho, while Canada’s reduction was minimal. Ben Eborn, publisher of North American Potato Market News, indicates that a smaller planted area could lead to lower production levels, impacting supply dynamics without ensuring price recovery for growers or processors.

October 22, 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

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

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

Big potatoes, tighter choices: US harvest advances while large russets remain under pressure

The US potato harvest is underway, with good quality and availability reported. However, there are tight supplies of larger russets in Idaho and ongoing demand for bigger sizes in Washington. While harvesting improves general availability, specific size shortages may persist, affecting restaurants and distributors. Factors including varying regional crop performance and processor demand also impact market conditions, necessitating careful monitoring of specifications and communication among buyers and suppliers.

October 8, 2026

First International Potato Symposium: Europe’s potato sector calls for closer cooperation as climate and market pressures mount

The 1st International Potato Symposium in Madrid on October 5 gathered approximately 250 professionals to discuss challenges and opportunities within the potato sector. Organized by FEPEX and Europatat, the event focused on production, market developments, plant health, and sustainability. Key speakers addressed the complexities of potato production amidst climate change and resource pressures. The symposium emphasized collaboration across the value chain to address shared challenges and ensure a strong European potato sector in future policy discussions.

October 8, 2026

Before Europe plants again: The changing shape of its seed-potato supply

Europe’s seed-potato multiplication area has fallen to 105,155 hectares across six leading regions, but the headline decline tells only part of the story. The sharper contraction in major French-fry varieties, combined with certification risk and concentrated production, could shape planting choices in 2027. This article examines what the figures mean, what they do not prove, and why Europe’s seed growers remain essential to potato supply chains far beyond the continent.

September 29, 2026

EU-4 potato production set to fall by almost a quarter

The EU-4 potato harvest is projected to decline significantly this season, with an estimated production of 20.8 million tonnes, about 25% lower than last year due to reduced acreage and yields influenced by adverse weather and market conditions. This reduction impacts the European processing industry, although many contracts were secured prior to harvest, stabilizing prices somewhat. The effects on growers are direct, while processing costs remain complex and variable.

September 25, 2026

What the canopy cannot tell us: Heat damage hidden inside the potato ridge

Recent potato losses in East Asia due to extreme heat highlight significant production risks. South Korean grower Lee Sang-hyuk discovered that potatoes, seemingly healthy above ground, were damaged beneath the surface during a heatwave. The temperatures disrupt tuber formation, impacting yield and quality. The findings emphasize that managing soil temperature and moisture is crucial, as traditional measurements may not reflect the conditions tubers experience, leading to hidden crop losses.

September 10, 2026

Drought, deluge and disease: How El Niño is reshaping the global potato outlook

The 2026-27 El Niño is rapidly intensifying, posing diverse threats to global potato production. Regions like India and Peru face risks from drought and flooding, while Europe experiences severe crop damage from heat and dryness, with uncertain attribution to El Niño. Each region’s unique climatic conditions necessitate careful monitoring of weather patterns and risk management strategies to mitigate agricultural stress and potential market disruptions.

September 2, 2026

UK drought tightens its grip on potatoes, but scale of crop losses remains uncertain

England and Wales are facing an exceptional drought that significantly impacts potato growers, causing reduced tuber sizes, heightened irrigation costs, and challenging harvesting conditions. Despite these pressures, there is no definitive national crop-loss estimate, highlighting regional variations in drought severity. While diminished yields are expected, the potato market is not collapsing; instead, it is under pressure with potential upward price movements and concerns regarding quality and tuber sizes.

August 28, 2026

McCain’s inaugural global ‘Spud Report’ finds fries crossing cultures, generations and borders

A McCain Foods survey of over 12,000 adults from 11 countries revealed that French fries are the most favored potato dish globally. The Spud Report highlighted fries’ emotional significance as comfort food linked to happiness and social interactions. Findings showed cultural variations in consumption patterns, with fries seen as snacks in India and China, while other nations viewed them as meal accompaniments. McCain intends to implement regenerative agriculture practices by 2030, linking consumer preferences to farming practices.

August 28, 2026

PapaDX brings AI-assisted potato crop diagnosis and weather alerts to the field

Aconcagua Digital has launched PapaDX, a mobile application for potato growers that analyzes crop photographs to diagnose health issues using AI technology. Released in August 2026, it offers confidence ratings and management suggestions based on identified diseases, pests, and nutrient deficiencies. In addition to visual assessments, PapaDX provides weather alerts to predict disease risk. While a useful tool, it should not replace professional consultation for accurate diagnoses.

August 25, 2026

French potato production could fall 23% as drought and heat cut yields: Lowest yields in more than 30 years

French potato growers are facing the lowest average yield in over 30 years due to extreme weather conditions, with projections showing a 14% decrease in yield for 2026. Factors such as heatwaves, drought, and reduced planted area could result in a 23% decline in production. Concerns about contract fulfillment and a potential economic loss of €400 million have prompted calls for government assistance. The outcome remains uncertain as harvest results become clear.

August 24, 2026

‘The cost of being late’: Ecuador’s zebra chip warning to the global potato industry

What Ecuador’s experience with zebra chip can teach the global potato industry about preparedness, diagnosis and the human cost of being late. By Lukie Pieterse, Editor/Publisher of Potato News Today On 21 August, a European potato research project published an account from Ecuador that deserves attention well beyond Europe. It was not a story about a laboratory breakthrough or a[Read More…]

August 24, 2026