Potato News from Asia

Calbee Potato expects Hokkaido’s 2026 processing potato crop to reach 240,000–250,000 tons, with better quality and yields than 2025. Favorable temperatures and rainfall have boosted growth, although heavy rain remains a major harvest risk now.

McCain Foods India has appointed Aditya Krishna as Managing Director, effective August 1, 2026. He will lead growth, strengthen grower partnerships and continue developing French Fries potato varieties suited to Indian conditions.

KFC Malaysia and Mister Potato launch a limited-time collaboration featuring spicy crispy chicken, a crunchy Zinger burger and Cheezy Wedges-inspired chips for the Merdeka and Malaysia Day season.

PepsiCo has announced new snack launches across India and Bangladesh, including Kurkure Aloo Chips, Kurkure Ribbon Pakoda, Lay's Potato Crackers and Quaker protein snacks, combining regional flavours, new textures and nutrition needs.

Harinder Farms participated in the 2nd Punjab Potato Growers Kissan Mela in Mullanpur Dakha, Punjab, showcasing seed potato varieties and engaging with farmers on variety selection, crop care, agronomy and market requirements.

Orion recorded KRW 874 billion (USD 672.31 million) in global potato snack sales, with overseas markets contributing 73%, as it expands production in South Korea and China and strengthens Pocachip, Oh! Gamja, Swingchip and Yegam globally.

Emami Agrotech enters India’s snacking market with WeMe, launching potato chips and other snacks. The company plans to invest INR 7.5 billion (USD 78.3 million) and targets INR 10 billion (USD 104.4 million) in revenue within 5–7 years.

Global Potato Summit 2026 will bring the potato value chain together in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, on December 16–17, focusing on processing, technology, market linkages and investment opportunities in India potato industry.

Extreme heat in Gangwon Province, South Korea, is damaging potatoes and other crops. Farmers report potatoes rotting in the soil, raising concerns over crop losses and higher agricultural prices ahead of Chuseok.

The 27th China Potato Congress in Hebei unites global potato leaders. Sensitar showcases intelligent processing solutions, boosting efficiency, sustainability and high-value growth across the potato industry.

HyFun Foods and Maersk have inaugurated one of India's largest cold storage facilities in Mehsana, Gujarat. The 260,000 sq. ft. facility with capacity for 14,700 pallet positions strengthens HyFun Foods' cold chain and frozen potato logistics.

Lam Dong, Viet Nam, approved the export of 27,952 potato seeds from 23 breeding lines to India for research. The shipment by the Potato, Vegetable and Flower Research Center supports breeding, variety testing, and potato innovation.

Shri Vibracion Technologies marked its 9th Foundation Day by opening its Experience Center, offering live machine demos, product trials and expert guidance to help customers choose the right material handling solutions.

China has introduced new phytosanitary measures to prevent the entry of Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (CLso), suspending seed potato import approvals from affected countries and tightening import requirements for planting materials.

Siddhivinayak Agri Processing (SV AGRI) has launched its Starch Recovery Unit (SRU) for potato processors. The system recovers valuable potato starch removes up to 95% TSS reduces ETP load and lowers fresh water consumption by 30% to 40%.

The Potato Project will open its first flagship outlet in Mumbai on 31 July, introducing a gourmet potato-focused QSR concept. Built around white potato, purple potato and yam, the brand plans to expand across India and into international markets.

ITC subsidiary Technico is adding 60 controlled-environment greenhouses to expand its aeroponic potato seed facility, raising TECHNITUBER mini-tuber capacity to 100 million and boosting disease-free seed production for potato growers.

India has notified ICAR-CPRI’s new potato varieties Kufri Abhedya and Kufri Ruby. The varieties offer higher yield, disease resistance and market potential, with Kufri Abhedya benefiting farmers in Himachal Pradesh and other hill regions.