News on The Potato Supply Chain from United Kingdom

British farmers have persevered in the face of adversity to complete 89 per cent of the potato harvest during the wettest year so far since 2012.

BP2019 marks the start of the sign up for the next batch of up-and-coming potato professionals to take part in the 2020 Next Generation training programme.

UK Storage systems provider Crop Systems Limited is adding new features to its SmartStor® controller, which will help users reduce storage costs, while improving their ability to manage stores remotely on mobile devices. See it at BP2019!

SoilEssentials Ltd will be showcasing 'Tuberzone' their precision farming solutions for potato cultivation at the upcoming BP2019, the potato industry event.

British potatoes have been delisted from a number of lines in Poland’s largest supermarket due to fears of a no-deal Brexit, according to a large UK potato exporter, which has had to cancel orders with its growers as a result.

Spud lovers are being given back a store in Norfolk after closing in August - after the business was rescued by potato giant firm Albert Bartlett.

The total 2019 planted Great Britain area (revised estimate) is 118.95K ha. This updated estimate puts the area 1% higher than last year and represents the GB area covered by over 90% of producers.

Chinese delegation confirms UK seed potato exports to the world's most populous country won't be affected either Brexit outcome. British seed potatoes will continue to be accepted by Chinese customs whatever the outcome of Brexit, according to AHDB.

The Lincolnshire Agricultural Equipment Manufacturer Scotts, which manufactures a range of vegetable harvesting machinery, celebrated its Silver anniversary on 11th September.

The first of Tong Engineering’s latest Fieldloader machine, the FieldLoad PRO, is proving to bring a dramatic reduction in loading times at one of the UK’s larger vegetable producers and processors; MH Poskitt Ltd.

The fresh chipping sector makes up about 12% of total potato production in Great Britain. The market follows season trends with demand driven by chip shop footfall throughout the year.

Scotts Precision Manufacturing is aiming to finish its record-breaking year in style with its largest-ever presence at British Potato 2019. The Lincolnshire manufacturer of vegetable harvesting equipment will have two stands at the Harrogate show.

Red Tractor are looking for industry feedback on potential changes to the Safe Haven Standards, the seed potato assurance scheme.

Scientists discover wild potatoes key for stronger spuds.

In the United Kingdom, restrictions on the use of products containing Maleic Hydrazide (MH) - used to control volunteers and to suppress sprouting during storage - have been removed following a review by the Chemicals Regulation Division (CRD) of the HSE.

Recent research at the James Hutton Institute suggests that limited genetic differences in potato lineages has left British and American spuds vulnerable to late blight, the disease that caused the Irish potato famine.

UK consumers may face a home-grown potatoes shortage next year as stocks run out due to new storage rules.

Scotts Precision Manufacturing is reporting a record year, with sales of its Evolution separator and Trinity range of haulm toppers up by over 30%.