Potato News

Belgium’s potato crop is shrinking under extreme heat and drought, threatening supplies for its famous fries. Smaller potatoes could tighten availability, raise costs and push up prices across the country’s € frozen fries industry.

Urschel will showcase its Little Gem Aspire™ Dicer at Tecno Fidta 2026 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from September 15-18. The compact dicer is designed for continuous produce cutting and streamlined food processing operations.

Keogh's Crisps has secured its largest overseas distribution deal, bringing five crisp flavours to 1,400 Publix stores in the United States, now its largest export market.

PepsiCo India inaugurated a USD 81.5 million potato chips plant in Assam that will source potatoes locally, support thousands of farmers and increase annual potato requirements from 30,000 MT to 70,000 MT by 2030.

Clarebout Potatoes is proposing to close its Moeskroen 1 plant in Belgium as frozen potato production capacity exceeds expected demand. The potential closure could affect 392 employees, while investment will continue at other facilities.

WPC 2026 preparations are accelerating in Kenya, with the Farmers Field Day at FreshCrop taking shape alongside new speakers, partners and international registrations ahead of the global potato Congress in Naivasha.

Heat and Control will debut its Spray Dynamics Symphony IKS at Anuga FoodTec India 2026, introducing a new in-kitchen seasoning system designed for consistent application, reduced seasoning dust and easier cleaning.

PepsiCo's 2026 Global Agro University brought potato growers and agricultural experts to Germany to share practical knowledge and technologies for improving potato yield, quality, storage, precision farming and production efficiency worldwide.

The National Potato Congress 2026 will bring together the Mexican potato sector from October 14 to 16 in Mexico City to address innovation, productivity, sustainability and commercialization.

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.

Aardappeldemodag 2026 brought over 4,500 visitors to Westmaas amid a challenging year for the Dutch potato sector. The event focused on market pressures, extreme growing conditions, knowledge sharing, machinery and innovation.

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.

Finpom highlights northern Finland's advantages for high-grade seed potato production as climate change raises virus risks in Europe, while expanding its EUROPLANT portfolio with LARISSA, JUVENTA, Filipa, FAVOLA and INA.

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.

The FAO Food Price Index averaged 131.1 points in July 2026, up 0.7 points from its June level. Increases in the price indices for cereals, sugar and vegetable oils were partially offset by declines in those for meat and dairy products.

European potato supplies are tightening as acreage declines and heatwaves pressure yields. France is particularly affected by severe water stress, prompting CNIPT to call for purchasing and sales strategies to reflect current market conditions.

Improved potato seeds distributed to farmers in Dubarwa, Eritrea, are delivering strong yields and showing resistance to pests and diseases. A total of 160 quintals of seed potatoes were planted across five hectares.

Pringles is launching Dippers, its first thicker, sturdier and wavier crisps designed for dipping, in three flavors this September. The brand is also expanding its Mingles range with a new Sweet & Salty flavor.