News on Potato Varieties and Seed

The 58th Idaho Potato Conference will be held Jan. 21–22 in Pocatello, featuring panels, research updates, a trade show and sessions on soil-borne diseases, agronomy, storage and water issues. Registration is USD 40 before Jan. 14.

Kroeker Farms announces a CEO transition: Wayne Rempel becomes Senior Advisor after decades of leadership, and COO Harwin Bouwman is appointed CEO effective Dec 1, 2025.

Alongside a roasted turkey and stuffing, a traditional Thanksgiving meal in the United States usually includes sweet potatoes glazed with butter and brown sugar and topped with toasted mini marshmallows.

Pakistan and KOICA discussed a feasibility study for a Seed Potato Production Centre at PARC, Islamabad. The project aims to cut seed imports, boost yields with Korean tech like aeroponics, and supply virus-free certified seed to over 100,000 farmers.

Senegal’s MASAE received containers with seed potatoes at Dakar Port for the 2025–2026 campaign, marking progress toward food sovereignty with 20,000+ tons of seeds and 7.3 billion FCFA (EUR 11.13 million) in state support.

November is Sweet Potato Awareness Month. It coincides with the heart of harvest season and Thanksgiving, a food-centered holiday, Dr. W. Jinnings Burruss Jr., assistant professor of food service at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB)

In Ukraine, demand for niche vegetable crops is growing noticeably, most notably for sweet potatoes and asparagus. These observations were shared in a market review of the magazine 'Gardening in Ukrainian'.

Row 7 Seed Company launches its vibrant purple Starling sweet potato at East Coast Whole Foods. Developed by NC State, Starling blends creamy sweetness with rich flavor and antioxidant-packed color. It joins Row 7’s fall lineup of flavor-driven organic produce.

La Asociación Brasileña de Comercio de Semillas y Plántulas se reunió con representantes de la Embajada y el Consulado de los Países Bajos para fortalecer la cooperación técnica y regulatoria en semillas de papa, presentar avances en el sector y avanzar en la armonización de requisitos fitosanitarios entre ambos países.

Kazakhstan may reintroduce potato export limits as shipments near the 500–600K-tonne threshold set to protect domestic supply. Authorities say high regional demand drove price spikes earlier, but current stocks and prices have now stabilised.

People rarely think of Washington when talking about potatoes. Yet much of what happens in the fields— from fertilizer prices to seed genetics— is shaped, directly or indirectly, by decisions made in the U.S. capital.

Egyptian sweet potatoes are gaining ground in Europe as demand rises. Short transit times, lower costs, and better storage boost supply. Dutch production struggles with low yields, while growing consumer interest and ready-to-eat trends drive market growth.

Sweet potatoes have a long and meaningful history in the United States. Originating in Central and South America, the crop reached North America centuries ago and quickly became valued for its resilience, nutritional density, and natural sweetness.

For India’s French-fry industry, the journey to global excellence begins not in the plant but in the field. Every step - from aerating seed stores to loading trucks - defines the quality that reaches international markets.

Banas Dairy and BBSSL signed an MoU to build a seed-to-market potato value chain, producing certified seed potatoes and promoting cooperative growth to boost farmer productivity, innovation, and income under the 'Sahakar se Samriddhi' vision.

Nepal’s First Choice Foods has begun exporting its “Himalayan Crisp” and “Hamro Fries” French fries to the United States marking a stunning milestone for the country’s food industry.

SolEdits and Lyckeby have developed CRISPR-edited potatoes with storage-stable starch, removing the need for chemical modification. Once allowed in the EU, this innovation can save 5,000 tonnes of chemicals yearly in Sweden and up to 75,000 across the EU.

EarthFresh launches Canada’s first-ever Butter Potatoes—Butter Golds, Reds, and Russets—offering naturally creamy, buttery flavor with no added butter needed. Available nationwide in sustainable packs, they redefine taste, texture, and versatility.