News on Potato Varieties and Seed from the Netherlands

You may think of a seed as tiny and insignificant. Don’t be fooled: its impact on global agriculture is immense. The seed industry is constantly balancing innovation with bringing value to growers.

Robert Voskamp of the Dutch company Rola Fresh said that he has never seen the potato market this hot.

Potato breeder HZPC expects turnover to grow 11% from last year (then EUR 352 million (USD 386 million)) with a gross margin of EUR 66,5 million (USD 73 million) (last financial year EUR 63.9 million (USD 70 million).

Potato is the third most important food crop in the world after rice and wheat in terms of human consumption. But potato world production is threatened by potato late blight

The Dutch company Altena Potatoes received its first full truckloads of Santé potatoes.

Growers learn best from other growers. This has been proven by the future-proof seed potato cultivation project, an initiative to examine upcoming changes in potato cultivation with a group of growers.

Potato cooperative Agrico started its 50-year anniversary in a festive mood. Throughout the year, Agrico will organise various events for growers, members, buyers and employees.

The new HZPC potato variety Rashida is a true all-rounder. Underneath the good looks, there is a robust variety that copes well in all conditions. And that makes growers, packers and consumers happy.

In Northwestern Europe (EU-04; NL, DE, BE, FR) the potato sector is facing a range of issues in the upcoming months. The million dollar question: How will the potato market respond? An analysis by the NEPG.

Potato coop Agrico announced that Peter Oldenkamp will become director of Agrico Research starting August 1, 2023. He succeeds Sjefke Allefs as director. Sjefke Allefs has worked at Agrico Research since 1990, in the position of director for the past 24 years.

On occasion HZPC's 125th anniversary on February 27, 2023, Drs. A. A. M. Brok, Commissioner of the King of the Province of Friesland presented potato breeder HZPC with the certificate for the predicate Royal.

The board of the NAK has appointed Nancy Rietbroek as operational director. From March 1, 2023, she will start working at the NAK.

Solynta – hybrid potato breeding technology company from The Netherlands and FreshCrop Limited, Kenya’s largest producer of seed tubers, have signed an agreement to collaborate on the development of hybrid true potato innovation in Kenya.

Potato Cooperative Agrico held its annual central members’ meeting, during which the financial statements of 2021/2022 were explained, and the members looked ahead to the new harvest year.

In the Netherlands, 31 parties in the table potato chain sign a covenant in which they commit to switch completely to organic robust potato varieties, including 7 supermarkets.

On 10 and 11 November, Agrico held its annual variety and seedling show at Agrico Research in Bant. During the show no fewer than nine new varieties were presented.

In this new position, Joost will be responsible for the downstream part of Solynta, leading product management, commercial and go to market strategies.

On 9, 10 and 11 November, HZPC will open its doors in Joure – and online – to anyone with a passion for potatoes. During Potato Days 2022, they will discuss the challenges of food security and sustainability, now and in the future.