Argentina: the future of varieties for processing

HZPC Latin America placed the future of potato varieties for processing at the center of attention during a Field Day held in Mendoza, a region that is gaining prominence as a new production hub in Argentina. In this context, the province is increasingly strengthening its position within the national potato map, driven by the expansion of irrigation and the presence of key players such as Simplot.

Currently, Mendoza has approximately 5,500 hectares under irrigation, consolidating itself as a strategic area within the Cuyo region. With the aim of generating its own technical data, the Testing and Development team of Royal HZPC Group established a new trial site in Pareditas, in collaboration with grower Gabriel Sáez, who opened the doors of his farm to carry out a demonstration plot and an Agronomic Performance Trial during the 2025–2026 season.<

HZPC Latin America organizes a Field Day in Mendoza, Argentina, showcasing new potato varieties and the productive potential of the region

Field Day brings together key industry stakeholders

On February 18, more than 30 participants —including growers, seed producers from Malargüe, and technicians from ISCAMEN and INTA— attended the event, organized together with Brometan and Tecnoriego. The day showcased varieties with strong potential for different market segments.
 

Standout varieties for processing and fresh market

In processing potatoes for fries, standout materials included QUINTERA, TRAVOLTA, INVICTUS, and ALVERSTONE RUSSET, while in the fresh market segment, SABABA, FARIDA, SAGITTA, and HZA 11-4807 were presented. In addition, SAGITTA and QUINTERA were positioned as multipurpose varieties, capable of adapting to different commercial outlets.

The results obtained were particularly encouraging. Favorable weather conditions, combined with efficient fertilization and irrigation management, made it possible to achieve high yield potential, confirming both Mendoza’s productive capacity and the adaptability of the new materials evaluated.

Facundo Roca, Product Development Manager at HZPC:

"Our first Field Day in Mendoza exceeded all expectations. These meetings are essential because they allow us to listen directly to growers and understand what characteristics a variety must have to successfully adapt to the region."

Beyond the technical results, the event also highlighted the importance of collaboration between companies, growers, and technical institutions. In this regard, HZPC especially emphasized the contribution of Gabriel Sáez, whose openness and willingness were key to the development of the project.

Looking ahead, Mendoza is emerging as one of the main growth frontiers for potato production in Argentina, with strong potential to expand acreage and consolidate its role as a key supplier for the processing industry. In this scenario, the development and validation of new varieties adapted to local agroclimatic conditions will be a determining factor in maintaining the sector’s competitiveness.

SABABA potato variety presented during HZPC field trials in Mendoza, Argentina