News on Potato Varieties and Seed

Grimmway Produce Group’s Cal-Organic Farms launched a year-round organic bite-size potato line with gold, red, medley, fingerling, and novelty nibbles in mesh packs, expanding convenience. Orders start March 9 after debut at SEPC Southern Exposure.

Branston South West GM Jonathan Taylor will retire in March 2026 after nearly a decade leading major growth and £9m upgrades at Ilminster. Simon Jones, a long-serving operations leader, takes over to drive capacity, sustainability and innovation.

Mukayras District launched the distribution of 20 tons of improved potato seeds to 120 farmers via the local cooperative, aiming to boost production, expand fertile lands, and support self-sufficiency in key crops.

International Potato Center and National Institute of Agricultural Innovation delivered 50,000 iron-rich potato plantlets to produce 1,500 tons of seed for 1,000 ha in Peru, aiming to reduce anemia and improve nutrition nationwide.

Albert Bartlett partners with Kate Hardcastle MBE to revive Britain’s love of potatoes. Their ‘Make Mealtimes Matter’ campaign promotes spuds as affordable, nutritious staples amid rising living costs.

For more than 60 years, R.D. Offutt Farms has paired science with stewardship to grow potatoes the right way. This January, the company doubled down on that commitment, selecting Wadena County as the home of a new 90-acre potato research farm.

Harinder Farms, in Punjab, India successfully organized the 3rd Innovative Seed Show, bringing together potato growers, farmers, and agricultural stakeholders to exchange knowledge and discuss the future of crop production and seed potato systems.

Dallas hosted the event amid political uncertainty, tariffs, strained trade ties and migrant labour crackdowns, while the Trump administration provided nearly USD 40 billion in farm aid, though none was specifically directed at potato production sector.

Royal HZPC Group has finalized the acquisition of IPM Potato Group, following the initial announcement made in October 2025. With all required conditions now fulfilled, IPM officially becomes part of Royal HZPC Group.

'Maris Piper has had its day; or has it?' That was the provocative title of a GB Potatoes debate at the British Potato Industry Event, where industry leaders discussed whether the long-standing variety still has a place in modern potato production.

The NAV Working Group for Potatoes for Consumption (WCA) has again estimated the cost price for the coming season (2026). In recent years, from the 2022 harvest through 2025, potato growers have faced a significant increase in cost prices.

Thanks to technological innovation, agricultural facilities in Gansu enable the vegetable industry to supply fresh products consistently throughout the year.

Mongolia’s Institute of Plant and Agricultural Science introduced Darkhan-212 and Darkhan-222 potatoes, developed 100+ crop varieties, produces 400–450 tons of elite seeds yearly, and provides 80,000–100,000 healthy microtubers.

En Estados Unidos, la FDA avaló la papa Russet Burbank II de J. R. Simplot, una variedad GMO desarrollada con resistencia natural al *Phytophthora infestans*, al considerarla tan segura como las convencionales y capaz de reducir pesticidas y mejorar el almacenamiento.

Spain’s sweet potato supply is low due to weather, keeping demand and prices high. Marta Guerra’s nursery continues growing plants, noting rising consumer interest, strong Spanish quality vs imports, and ongoing water challenges.

As the Union Budget 2026 is unveiled, India’s potato sector has urged the government to take decisive and time-bound policy action to transform the industry into a strong driver of farmer income growth, food processing expansion and export-led development.

Pakistan can double potato export earnings by focusing on industrial varieties and processing. Rising production, global demand, and quality seeds boost growth, while value addition opens high-value markets and stabilizes farmer incomes.

Bihar Government launches Lady Rosetta Potato Expansion Scheme offering farmers 75% subsidy for chips & French fries variety. Applications open till Jan 15, 2026 across 17 districts, boosting farmers’ income and high-value potato cultivation.