Europatat Elects Peter Ton as New President at 2026 Congress in Brussels

Europatat, the European Potato Trade Association, has appointed Peter Ton as its new President following elections held during the association’s annual Congress in Brussels. The event brought together around 90 members and participants from across Europe to discuss key issues affecting the potato sector and to elect a new Board for the 2026–2030 mandate.

Peter Ton, Chief Operating Officer of Royal HZPC Group and representative of NAO (Netherlands), succeeds Tigran Richter of Norika/DHKV, Germany, who completed four years of service on Europatat’s Board. The newly elected Board also confirmed the continuation of Vlastimil Rasocha (Medipo Agro/CBS, Czechia) as Vice-President and Francisco Moya (Vitalis Group/Fedepom, France) as Treasurer.

New Leadership for the European Potato Sector

Ton brings extensive experience to the role, having spent his entire professional career in the potato industry. In addition to his leadership role at Royal HZPC Group, he has been actively involved in the Dutch potato sector through NAO. Within Europatat, he has served as a member of the Advisory Committee since 2022 and most recently chaired the association’s Seed Commission. 

His appointment comes at a time when the European potato industry faces evolving challenges and opportunities, including sustainability requirements, changing consumer expectations, and increasing regulatory demands.

Strategy, Sustainability and Future Priorities

During the General Assembly, Europatat members approved the association’s accounts and reviewed progress on the implementation of its 2025–2028 Strategy. While trade, plant health, food safety, and RUCIP remain central priorities, the organization is also expanding its focus on sustainability reporting and measurement, water management, nutrition, potato consumption promotion, and potato-related research. 

Members were also presented with Europatat’s 2025–2026 Activity Report, which highlights the association’s work and achievements since June 2025. The report is now available in digital format through Europatat’s website. 

Commenting on his appointment, Ton thanked members for their confidence and pledged to strengthen Europatat’s role as the voice of the European potato industry and a platform connecting organizations across the potato value chain.

Peter Ton, Europatat’s new President:

"Being active in the potato sector all my professional life, I consider the member’s vote for me as Board member and their support to become President of Europatat as a sign of trust and confidence. Trust that their concerns and interests are in good hands, confident of being able to consider all voices and opinions."

"It is my ambition to build further on Europatat’s position being the ambassador of our industry, as well as the platform for all European organisations representing (part) of the potato value-chain. I thank all members for their trust and promise to represent them with dedication and pride. Looking forward to working with our fantastic team in Brussels!"