Mexico: National Potato Congress 2026 will bring the potato sector together in Mexico City

The National Potato Congress 2026 will take place from October 14 to 16 at Centro Banamex in Mexico City, under the slogan "Mexican Potatoes Facing the Future". Organized by CONPAPA, the event will seek to bring together growers, companies, authorities, researchers and other value chain stakeholders to promote a more competitive, sustainable and coordinated sector.

This year’s edition will be held as part of CONPAPA’s 35th anniversary and is intended as a national meeting point to analyze the main productive, commercial and technological challenges facing Mexican potatoes. According to the organization, the congress aims to strengthen strategic alliances, promote innovation and open new opportunities for growers and companies linked to the crop. 
 

A sector present in 22 producing states

The event’s official website highlights the economic relevance of the sector, with a presence in 22 producing states, more than 8,000 growers, over 68,000 hectares cultivated and a production value exceeding MXN 20 billion. It also notes that 85% of production is concentrated in the center and south of the country.

One of the central themes will be productive competitiveness. CONPAPA identifies the following as the main components of production costs:

• Seed: 32%
• Post-harvest freight: 23%
• Fertilization: 13.5%
• Pest, weed and disease control: 12%

Production costs are estimated at MXN 300,000 per hectare. 
 

Three days of activities in Mexico City

The agenda includes three days of activities. Wednesday, October 14 will be dedicated to attendee registration and the welcome cocktail; Thursday, October 15 will include the opening ceremony, conferences, panels, commercial area and gala dinner; and Friday, October 16 will continue with conferences, panels, the commercial area and the closing session.

The congress will combine keynote conferences, a trade expo, technical workshops, strategic networking, gastronomic showcases and social gatherings. The proposal seeks to integrate technical training, commercial exchange and the promotion of Mexican potatoes, including live cooking spaces and tastings aimed at highlighting the product’s versatility. 
 

Innovation, commercialization and sustainability

The event’s objectives include innovation and productivity, commercialization and exports, sustainability and phytosanitary issues, and the creation of strategic alliances. The organization presents the congress as a platform for sharing knowledge, accessing new technologies, strengthening the value chain and connecting growers, industry, researchers, suppliers and authorities.

The National Potato Congress 2026 comes at a key moment for the Mexican potato value chain, marked by the need to improve productivity, reduce costs, strengthen plant health, professionalize commercialization and add value across different links of the chain.

In this context, the meeting in Mexico City will seek to serve as a platform for discussion and coordination to project the future of the sector.