No-nonsense, no-frills potato news stories from around the world
Royal HZPC Group is focusing on hybrid potato breeding, launching its NOVA varieties with the first in Kenya. CEO Hans Huistra highlights the benefits, including faster development of disease-resistant potatoes grown from seed, crucial for small-scale farmers lacking quality seeds. This innovative breeding addresses food security challenges.
Royal HZPC Group concluded the 2024/2025 financial year successfully, marking its first global revenue exceeding €500 million and tonnage surpassing 1 million. The revenue reached €525 million, with a gross margin of €96.4 million and a net profit of €17.1 million, benefiting growers with increased dividends. Despite challenges in the market, the company emphasized growth in new potato varieties and planned expansion in acreage.
As chemical fumigants disappear from the toolbox, potato growers face rising pressure from potato cyst and root-lesion nematodes. New strategies now dominate: resistant varieties, mustard-based biofumigation, trap crops like Solanum sisymbriifolium, and longer crop rotations. Success depends on integration rather than single solutions. The industry is shifting from eradication to control — combining genetics, biology, hygiene and data to keep nematodes below economic thresholds.
The Nemo potato, developed by Branston, has returned to British supermarkets in response to heightened consumer demand, with 87% more stock available this season compared to 2024. This roasting potato, named after a film character due to its pink-and-white stripes, cooks 25% faster and was meticulously developed over nine years. Tesco plans to stock 1.2 million units, catering to modern households seeking convenience and energy savings during the festive season.
Royal HZPC Group announced plans to acquire IPM Potato Group, a top potato breeder and exporter based in Ireland, enhancing its global seed potato presence. Established in 1950, IPM leads in seed potato production and exports to 40 countries. The acquisition aims to foster growth opportunities while maintaining IPM’sidentity. CEO Hans Huistra emphasized this aligns with their strategic ambitions and opens new markets, particularly in North Africa. Regulatory approval is pending.
Kenya has introduced new potato varieties, Malaika and Glen, to combat potato cyst nematodes (PCN) that threaten yields. Developed through international collaboration, these varieties promise strong resistance to PCN while meeting local agricultural demands. By offering practical advantages for farmers, they could improve productivity and food security. Successful adoption depends on ensuring seed availability and effective management practices. Overall, these innovations could significantly enhance Kenya’s potato sector.
Researchers from Cranfield University, PepsiCo, and Solynta are working on extending potato dormancy without chemicals like CIPC, writes Lukie Pieterse in this article. Their project focuses on understanding the genetic and physiological aspects of dormancy to improve storage efficiency, aiming to reduce energy use and waste. The collaboration seeks to identify traits that enhance dormancy, with implications for reduced sprout losses and overall cost savings in potato storage. Results and advancements are expected by 2026.
Kenyan scientists, led by KALRO, are developing genetically modified potatoes resistant to late blight, a significant threat to crops and farmers’ livelihoods. They have inserted resistance genes into popular varieties like Shangi, Asante, and Tigoni, showing promising results in trials. Plans for non-exclusive licensing aim to enhance farmer access. With Kenya’s shifting GMO policy, the project is nearing commercialization, potentially reducing fungicide reliance and loss.
Buba is an AI-powered platform developed during the CIP’s 2024 AI-griculture Challenge, winning in 2025 for enhancing potato breeding. It addresses food security challenges by optimizing trait selection and improving variety development, significantly reducing breeding timelines. Key features include trait optimization, climate adaptation modeling, and disease resistance prediction. By integrating predictive analytics, Buba aims to support sustainable agriculture, benefiting farmers worldwide while promoting resilience and efficiency in breeding practices.
The potato industry faces various challenges and innovations. In the Netherlands, the Innovator potato variety’s yield potential is limited due to drought and supply chain issues. Meanwhile, sustainability efforts by Walther Farms emphasize soil health for chip production. Europe anticipates stable seed potato supplies, while effective post-harvest protocols are crucial for market viability. Local sourcing in the Netherlands by McDonald’s showcases sustainable practices, and Ukraine’s logistics improvements aim to enhance market stability.
The UK’s warmest summer on record has put potato production in the spotlight, with experts warning urgent action is needed. Professor Ian Toth of the National Potato Innovation Centre says current varieties cannot withstand extreme heat and drought, raising risks of higher imports. Farmers are calling for resilient varieties, while food analysts warn staples like potatoes face mounting pressure from climate change and soaring food inflation.
Potatoes, the world’s fourth most essential crop, will undergo full genotyping in Germany through the POMORROW project, funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. With 6,357 potato accessions in the gene bank, the initiative aims to identify traits for sustainable cultivation, focusing on drought tolerance. Research at the Max Planck Institute examines genetic diversity and mycorrhizal fungi interactions to enhance resilience and ensure reliable yields amid climate challenges.
A Norwich Research Park spin-out, BioPotatoes (BioP), is conducting year-two field trials focused on a new Maris Piper potato that resists late blight, a disease with historical significance. Supported by TSL Ventures and received significant funding, BioP aims to commercialize these disease-resistant tubers by 2030. With new precision-breeding laws in England, BioP seeks to enhance sustainability and reduce pesticide use, ultimately safeguarding potato production for the UK and Europe.
Scientists from the University of St Andrews and The James Hutton Institute have introduced two new potato varieties, Malaika and Glen, in Kenya to combat potato cyst nematode (PCN) threats. Collaborating with various institutes and local farmers, these varieties have passed trials and been added to Kenya’s National Variety List. They respond to farmers’ needs for low dormancy and fast cooking traits, aiding food security and benefiting the potato value chain worth $500 million annually.
A new study in Cell has solved a long-standing mystery about the potato’s origins. Researchers found that the modern potato arose about 9 million years ago from a rare hybridization between the ancestors of tomatoes and ‘Etuberosum’. This genetic union created the potato’s defining feature—the tuber—enabling it to thrive in the Andes. The findings could help breed seed-grown potatoes more resilient to disease, pests, and climate change.
Scientists have developed potato-GEM, the first genome-scale metabolic model to include both primary and full secondary metabolism in potatoes. Using data from Colorado potato beetle and Potato virus Y stress tests, the model accurately replicated growth reductions and metabolite changes. This tool enables breeders to pinpoint growth–defense trade-offs, helping design potato varieties that maintain high yields while boosting resilience against pests and diseases—without increased reliance on chemical controls.
Heirloom and landrace potatoes are experiencing a revival driven by culture, identity, and market potential, contrasting with common commercial varieties, writes Lukie Pieterse in this article. This resurgence is fueled by consumer demand for provenance, biodiversity, and culinary uniqueness. Policy support in Europe and North America facilitates access for small growers. These potatoes embody genetic diversity, cultural heritage, and sensory appeal, representing viable products in premium markets, while offering challenges in yield and handling.
Dutch biotech company Solynta has secured €20 million in venture debt from the European Investment Bank, backed by the EU’s InvestEU programme, to accelerate the development of disease-resistant and climate-resilient potato varieties using true potato seeds. This innovative, non-GMO approach enhances global food security by improving storage, reducing crop losses, and minimizing chemical inputs. The funding supports Solynta’s mission to transform sustainable potato production worldwide.
Michigan State University (MSU) is advancing potato science with a research project led by graduate student Joseph Ulasi and Dr. David Douches, focusing on enhancing late blight resistance in diploid potato lines. The project integrates novel resistance genes from Solanum species, utilizing Solanum verrucosum as a genetic intermediary to facilitate gene transfer from Solanum pinnatisectum. This initiative is part of MSU’s broader effort supported by Project GREEEN, aiming for high-yielding, disease-resistant potato varieties.
Texas A&M’s annual Potato Field Day in Springlake, scheduled for July 16, will showcase advanced russet clones like Dune Russet and Duncan Russet, which are engineered for heat and viral resistance. Attendees will learn about breeding innovations and crop insights from local growers. The event, organized by Texas A&M AgriLife Research, is free to participate and aims to connect research with farmer needs.
Anthocyanin-rich varieties of Solanum tuberosum are gaining recognition for their health benefits, including cardiovascular protection, metabolic regulation, and potential cancer prevention, writes Lukie Pieterse in this article. These colorful potatoes are becoming popular in health-conscious consumer markets, driven by their aesthetic appeal and nutrient density. Breeders are enhancing their anthocyanin content and disease resistance through advanced genetic techniques. The shift toward these “super spuds” signifies a transformation in the potato industry.
Researchers at the James Hutton Institute are advancing potato genetics by applying genomic sequencing to haploid genomes, identifying traits like disease resistance and climate resilience. Their work addresses the challenges of potato breeding, which is complicated by the tetraploid nature of potatoes. Utilizing molecular markers and haplotype tagging, they enhance breeding efficiency, providing farmers with high-yield, resilient varieties while promoting global food security through adaptable agricultural innovations.
Chloroplast engineering is emerging as a breakthrough technology for crop improvement, with direct relevance to potato farming. The Oxford-led OPTIMiSE project, backed by £6.7 million in funding, aims to redesign chloroplast genomes to enhance yield, resilience, and nutrient efficiency in potatoes. By leveraging natural variation and advanced synthetic biology, this approach could surpass conventional breeding methods. Such innovation holds promise for building climate-smart, high-performing potato varieties fit for future agricultural challenges.
A University of Oxford research team has secured a £6.7 million grant to investigate chloroplast engineering, aimed at improving potato and wheat production. Collaborating with Wild Bioscience Ltd, the project seeks to enhance photosynthesis efficiency and resilience against climate stressors by reprogramming chloroplasts. This could lead to higher crop yields and reduced agricultural inputs, addressing food security challenges and fostering sustainable farming amidst climate change.
Dordt University highlights alumnus Jacob Vanderschaaf in an article titled “Small Potatoes, Big Dreams”. Vanderschaaf’s journey from a Friesian farm to co-founding The Little Potato Company and breeding company Tuberosum Technologies reflects his passion for agriculture. His innovations have transformed potato farming, increasing yields significantly. At 80, he researches sustainable uses for potatoes. His story inspires students, demonstrating how modest beginnings can lead to remarkable global impact.
