News on The Potato Supply Chain

La Araucania lanzará el proyecto Papa Huella Cero, para reducir el uso de agroquímicos en el cultivo de papa mediante un protocolo agroecológico basado en la medición del impacto ambiental y validado directamente con productores.

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.

McCain Foods has released its 2025 Global Sustainability Report, sharing progress toward its sustainability commitments with the completion of a key pledge made in 2021, and outlines refreshed sustainability targets to 2030.

Beirut Erbil Company participated in Gulfood 2026 through two parallel exhibitions within the world’s largest food and beverage event, which opened on January 22, 2026, at the Dubai World Trade Centre and the Dubai Expo Exhibition Centre.

The protests by the productive sector managed to halt the ratification of the agreement, which will now have to be re-evaluated by the European courts before it can either move forward or be permanently shelved.

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

La siembra arranca en Castilla y León con el sector pendiente de los precios en origen, el aumento de los costes y la necesidad de una mejor planificación.

La sobreproducción en Centroeuropa, la caída de las exportaciones europeas de patatas congeladas y la competencia creciente de China e India han provocado un desplome del precio de la patata en España, hasta apenas 12 céntimos por kilo.

Jared Balcom, a fourth-generation potato grower from Pasco, Washington, has been named the 2026 Potato Person of the Year in recognition of his long-standing leadership and advocacy on behalf of the United States potato industry.

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.

The European Potato Processors’ Association (EUPPA) published its latest Facts and Figures for 2025, underlining the scale, economic impact and global trade reach of Europe’s potato processing industry.

The Potato Sustainability Alliance (PSA) has announced updates to its Board of Directors and Executive Committee, including the election of new leadership and the retirement of several long-serving directors. 

En Chile, el Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería (MAG) lanzó un plan piloto de trazabilidad agrícola para papa y cebolla con apoyo de OIRSA, mientras el sector papero enfrenta la llamada “paradoja de las papas”, donde altos rendimientos generan sobreoferta y caída de precios.

GRIMME has opened a new branch in Fisantekraal, Durbanville, Cape Town, strengthening its presence in South Africa and the broader sub-Saharan Africa region.

Solynta, a leader in hybrid potato breeding, secured major growth funding as EW Group acquired a majority stake. The investment will speed its goal to double global potato yields while halving crop protection use and reducing land needs worldwide.

India is emerging as a frozen fries exporter. US imports rose over 350% year-on-year, China paid premium prices, while South Korea saw falling annual volumes. Expanding capacity is increasing pressure on traditional European suppliers.

A southern Alberta farmer has been invited to speak at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, bringing Canadian agriculture into global discussions on resilient food systems. The annual forum concludes on Friday.

Belarus harvested 3 million tons of potatoes in 2025, down from 3.1 million a year earlier. While authorities say supplies are sufficient, experts warn imports may be needed by summer, potentially pushing prices higher.