Nieuws over trends in landbouw en voedsel

Record-breaking early-summer temperatures and low soil moisture are increasing variability in Europe's 2026 potato crop. Wyma Solutions highlights post-harvest solutions to help processors manage quality, efficiency and throughput.

Europe’s potato sector faces pressure as temperatures exceed 40°C in key growing regions. With crops in critical growth stages, prolonged heat and drought could cut yields, affect quality, and increase irrigation needs, raising supply concerns.

Forsfood Group Oy has joined Orat Oy and Banmark Oy Ab in a strategic acquisition, combining decades of expertise in food processing machinery. The company will continue operations under its name with unchanged team, ensuring full continuity.

The latest European Commission report on EU agri-food trade shows that, during the first four months of 2026, the EU agri-food trade surplus reached EUR 15.6 billion, an increase of EUR 233 million compared with the same period in 2025.

Artificial intelligence is expected to play an increasingly important role on Canadian farms as the federal government launches a new national strategy aimed at accelerating AI adoption across key sectors, including agriculture.

Potato breeders in Kenya are developing new varieties that combine disease resistance with the frying qualities needed for French fries. The work aims to improve yields, strengthen the potato value chain and deliver better fries for consumers daily.

Potato Demo Day 2026 heeft de bezoekersregistratie geopend voor het evenement in september in Westmaas. Het programma omvat meer dan 120 exposanten, 25 kennissessies, machinedemonstraties, een Startup Plaza en de volledige aardappelketen centraal.

Boulder Canyon's Wavy Grillo's Classic Dill Pickle Flavored Chips have won a 2026 Good Housekeeping Snack Award. The recognition is the brand's second award this quarter, following a People Food Award for its Agave Sriracha Potato Chips.

Kettle Brand’s Tater Tracker™ lets consumers trace potatoes to the farm where they were grown. By entering a code on the bag, users can meet the farmers and explore regenerative practices, including cover crops and pollinator habitats in action.

GB Potatoes and Branston will host a low-carbon farming event in Lincolnshire on 28 July, while GB Potatoes joins Defra’s Expert Growers Group. The industry also awaits updates on UK-EU seed potato trade and the new Farming Roadmap.

The 1st International Symposium of Potato will bring together more than 400 industry professionals on October 5, 2026, at IFEMA Madrid to discuss sustainable production, innovation, consumption, and the strategic role of potatoes in Europe and the global market.

Introducing Foodera Technologies, the new global group uniting Tummers Group, Van der Giessen Industrie, Kiremko, Idaho Steel and REYCO Systems. The group combines technologies and expertise to help food processors prepare for future challenges.

Gpi De Gouwe heeft een nieuwe naam gekregen en gaat voortaan verder als Gpi Process Technology. De naamswijziging weerspiegelt de ontwikkeling van het bedrijf tot specialist in geavanceerde voedselverwerkingsoplossingen. Het bedrijf biedt turnkey-systemen voor de productie van friet, sauzen, kant-en-klaarmaaltijden, chocolade en zoetwaren.

Investindustrial, comprising the Kiremko, Idaho Steel and Reyco brands, has completed the acquisition of 100% of Tummers Group and Van der Giessen, bringing together specialist companies with complementary capabilities across the potato processing value chain. 

McCain Foods has released its inaugural McCain Spud Report, providing a global snapshot of how consumers interact with fries and potato products in different markets.

Europatat welcomes the EU’s adoption of the NGT Regulation, opening new opportunities for innovative potato varieties with improved disease resistance, climate adaptability, and processing traits, while boosting breeding research and investment.

NOAA has confirmed El Niño, expected to strengthen through 2026–27. The global potato industry is monitoring impacts on yields, disease pressure, processing quality, storage, and supply chains while accelerating climate resilience efforts.

Orion will use freshly harvested domestic potatoes from key growing regions across South Korea to produce Pocachip and Swingchip. The company plans to process around 15K tons of potatoes this year and expand Pocachip production capacity by up to 50%.