Potato News

World Potato Congress Inc. will host a June 18 webinar previewing the 13th World Potato Congress in Kenya. The session will highlight the Congress program, field days, technical tours and key industry initiatives ahead of the October event.

Klaas van de Poppe has been appointed CEO of Eqraft, effective May 1, 2026. He succeeds Marcel Kampes and will lead the company's next phase of global growth, innovation, and customer-focused solutions for potato and onion processing.

Mosgiel Taieri College students have created Winter Warrior, a potato-based windscreen spray that prevents frost. Developed for Young Enterprise, it is applied overnight to stop ice forming, aims eco-friendly, about $20 bottle. in testing phase.

Optimum Sorting has opened a larger facility and demo center in Sacramento, California, following record growth in 2025. The new site enables customer testing of sorting technologies and strengthens the company's support across North America.

McCain Foods has announced a partnership with the Tour de France and will become the event's Official Fries partner in 2026. The agreement links the global frozen potato products manufacturer with one of the world's most recognized cycling events

Lamb Weston plans to close its potato processing facility in Broekhuizenvorst, the Netherlands, as part of efforts to improve operational efficiency and align its supply chain with market conditions. The proposed closure affects about 110 employees.

Greenvale’s Golden Kings potatoes are back in Sainsbury’s stores from 3 June 2026. Known for their buttery flavour, golden colour and consistent quality, the brand is attracting younger shoppers and boosting growth in the potato category.

ELEA Technology GmbH has secured European Patent EP 3 641 559 B1 for a Pulsed Electric Field process that enables flavors, spices, and additives to penetrate food products before frying or drying, improving flavor consistency and product quality.

Modern potatoes are bred from a relatively narrow genetic pool, while the diseases and environmental pressures affecting potato production continue to evolve.

Tong SwiftLift has appointed Tom Allwood as Electrical and Service Manager to strengthen electrical production, aftersales service and customer support for the SwiftLift range as part of the Tong Engineering Group.

Intralox is promoting its Series 1750 (S1750) modular plastic belting as an alternative to conventional rodded chains used in potato processing washers and destoners/rock traps.

On May 30, the International Day of the Potato was celebrated worldwide, highlighting the potato’s role in food security, sustainability, economic development and culinary diversity beyond its importance as a staple food.

La campaña de patata en Andalucía avanza con menos superficie sembrada pero mejores perspectivas de rendimiento, en medio de la presión de las importaciones de patata vieja francesa, el riesgo de solapamiento entre cosechas nacionales y un fuerte aumento de los costos de producción.

En Mendoza, el encuentro “Habemus Papas II” impulsó la creación de un clúster papero orientado a mejorar la productividad, diversificar la producción con papines andinos y articular al sector a través de innovación, sostenibilidad y vínculos entre productores, industria e instituciones.

México enfrenta una menor oferta nacional de papa por calor extremo, plagas y estrés hídrico, lo que impulsa mayores importaciones desde Estados Unidos y anticipa subas de precios y más presión sobre el abastecimiento interno.

Maintaining crop quality after harvest remains a major challenge for potato, onion and carrot producers, particularly during long-term storage where mechanical damage can reduce product quality and market value.

Lamb Weston’s FY2025 Sustainability Report highlights progress toward its 2033 goals, including a 15% reduction in injury rates, USD 830K+ in community donations, 6% lower freshwater use, 85% sustainable packaging, and 98% waste diversion.

Bühler Group announced that Bühler Bangalore (BBAN) has received the Gold Award at the 18th Edition of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) EHS Excellence Award 2025, recognizing achievements in Environment, Health and Safety practices.