Nieuws uit Europa

Aardappeldemodag 2026 brought over 4,500 visitors to Westmaas amid a challenging year for the Dutch potato sector. The event focused on market pressures, extreme growing conditions, knowledge sharing, machinery and innovation.

Finpom wijst op de voordelen van Noord-Finland voor de productie van hoogwaardige pootaardappelen terwijl klimaatverandering de virusrisico's in Europa doet toenemen, en breidt zijn EUROPLANT-assortiment verder uit met LARISSA, JUVENTA, Filipa, FAVOLA en INA.

Ellips introduces the CleanFlow Pre-Sorter, using True-AI to remove stones, clods and defects before potato and onion storage or grading, handling up to 120 t/h while reducing equipment wear, storage losses and manual labour.

Haith and GRIMME will co-exhibit for the first time at PotatoEurope 2026 in Springe, Germany, presenting complementary solutions spanning potato planting, harvesting, post-harvest handling, washing, grading and packing.

Scottish researchers led by the University of Glasgow have developed a bacteriocin-based treatment to suppress potato blackleg and soft rot. Supported by IBioIC the research has led to spin-out Casdu Crop Solutions.

Emsland Group Strengthens Collaboration With Agricultural Partners Through New Office Building in Emlichheim

Marieke Hoste, de nieuwe directeur van VAVI, bezoekt voor het eerst de Aardappeldemodag, waar samenwerking, innovatie en kennisdeling centraal staan. Volgens haar kan de Nederlandse aardappelsector beleids-, duurzaamheids- en marktuitdagingen gezamenlijk aanpakken.

Emsland Group’s SBTi-validated targets aim to cut Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50.4% and Scope 3 emissions by 30% by 2030, from a 2018 base year. The company also targets net-zero emissions across its value chain by 2045.

European seed potato multiplication area fell 1.6% to 105,155 hectares in 2026, according to ESPG data. Germany recorded slight growth, while the other major producing countries and several leading varieties saw declines.

Ellips will present five True-AI grading solutions at Potato Europe 2026, September 9–10 in Springe, Germany, addressing labor shortages, quality demands and capacity challenges in potato and onion grading.

GB Potatoes has opened applications for its 2027 Potato Industry Development Programme. The three-part programme covers potato production processing research and agricultural policy across England Scotland and London.

Optimum Sorting's laser technology detects hidden defects, foreign materials, wet centers, soft rot and solanine in potatoes, fries and chips, delivering high-precision sorting with 0.3 mm resolution and up to 3,333 scans per second.

Agristo is investing €350 million (USD 405 million) in a new Hauts-de-France potato processing site, its second-largest facility. Located 120 km from Belgium, the project will create 300 jobs and strengthen its French market presence.

The 23rd EAPR Triennial Conference will bring 300+ potato experts to Edinburgh in 2027 to explore 'Sustainable Potato Production for a Changing World.' Register, submit abstracts or explore sponsorship.

La campaña de la patata en Salamanca afronta un comienzo marcado por la expectativa ante la demanda portuguesa, la incertidumbre del mercado y los desafíos climáticos y sanitarios.

Flikweert Vision says its AI-powered QualityGrader helps potato and onion processors cut labour costs boost processing capacity by 10–20% reduce unnecessary rejects and improve batch insights with VisionCore for faster ROI.

Jensma Agro heeft twee Optica Q optische sorteerders geïnstalleerd om 30 ton per uur aan pootaardappelen te sorteren met minder arbeidsinzet. Het systeem vermindert de behoefte aan handmatige inspectie, verbetert de efficiëntie, verhoogt de capaciteit en ondersteunt toekomstige groei. Er staan nog enkele kleine softwareverbeteringen gepland.

Janine Luten, directeur van de Nederlandse Aardappel Organisatie (NAO), benadrukt dat innovatie, kennisdeling en samenwerking cruciaal zijn om de Nederlandse aardappelsector internationaal concurrerend te houden.