Noticias sobre la Investigación y Desarrollo de Europa

Europatat has opened registrations for its annual Europatat Congress, which will take place in Brussels, Belgium, on 3 and 4 June 2026. The event brings together members of the European potato community for the Association’s yearly gathering.

92% of farmers say their sustainability efforts go unrecognised, despite adopting an average of eight eco-friendly practices. While 85% would do more with financial support, low trust in government and policy confusion remain key barriers.

Around 500 guests from 15 countries attended the 20th International Berlin Potato Evening hosted by DKHV at TITANIC Chaussee Berlin, uniting heads from the potato value chain, science, politics to discuss market challenges and policy fair rules.

The UK has officially eradicated the Colorado Beetle following two years of intensive surveillance and biosecurity activity. The pest was detected in Kent in July 2023, with one further finding later that year.

The European Potato Processors’ Association (EUPPA) published its latest Facts and Figures for 2025, underlining the scale, economic impact and global trade reach of Europe’s potato processing industry.

The European Snacks Association (ESA) has released its annual report outlining the association’s advocacy work, policy engagement, working group activities and key events during the year.

IFA President Francie Gorman told the 71st IFA AGM that opposition to the Mercosur trade deal, securing a strong CAP budget and tackling rising costs will dominate IFA’s 2026 agenda, warning of food safety risks and pressure on farm incomes EU.

Jason O’Leary, a potato grower from Blackwater, Co. Wexford, has been elected Chair of the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) Potato Committee, which represents potato growers within Ireland’s largest farming organisation.

Germany’s potato industry calls for urgent research and coordinated measures against the spreading reed glasswinged leafhopper to protect cultivation, jobs, and regional economic strength.

Scientists decoded a haplotype-resolved potato genome and GWAS of 141 accessions, identifying StTST2, a tonoplast sugar transporter. StTST2 boosts photosynthesis, sugar accumulation, source–sink transport, and tuber yield via interaction with SUT2.

Lamb Weston, HAI, Radboud University and ISPT are advancing potato processing with AI and hyperspectral imaging to boost quality, reduce waste and improve efficiency. Lamb Weston experts say the technology enables consistent supply and faster, deeper quality predictions.

FRUIT LOGISTICA 2026 (4–6 Feb, Berlin) gathers the global fresh produce industry for innovation, networking, and market insights. With 2,500+ exhibitors, expert forums, tech showcases, and the 20th Innovation Award, it drives the future of fresh produce.

Max Koeune, CEO of McCain Foods, joins The Consumer Goods Forum as Co-Chair alongside Tesco’s Ken Murphy, driving global collaboration and innovation. McCain continues its leadership in sustainability, food waste, and industry partnerships.

La robótica, la imagen, los sensores y las herramientas basadas en datos impulsarán la innovación en frutas y hortalizas en FRUIT LOGISTICA 2026. El Simposio Científico FRUTIC, el 6 de febrero, destacará avances que están transformando la producción y el manejo poscosecha a nivel mundial.

SolEdits and Lyckeby have developed CRISPR-edited potatoes with storage-stable starch, removing the need for chemical modification. Once allowed in the EU, this innovation can save 5,000 tonnes of chemicals yearly in Sweden and up to 75,000 across the EU.

Plant protection, bureaucracy, and production costs – these are just some of the issues currently weighing heavily on Germany’s specialty crop sector.

Su director ejecutivo, Hans Huistra, destacó que estos resultados reflejan el éxito de sus nuevas variedades - como Quintera, Travolta, Invictus, Cardyma y Castor - y el impacto positivo de las inversiones en investigación y desarrollo.

Produce Investments (PI) acquires Biofresh Safestore, a leader in fixed crop management. Combined with Restrain’s natural sprout suppression, the move expands PI’s tech portfolio, offering flexible, innovative storage solutions across Europe and beyond.