News on Food Trends from Europe

Jim Cruickshank OBE, one of the most well respected seed producers in the UK, is this year’s winner of the British Potato Industry Award, organised by AHDB Potatoes.

As a result of the late potato harvest in the North-western European countries (BE, DE, FR, NL, UK), the potato growers organisation NEPG has decided to postpone publication of its annual yield estimates till the third week of November.

Als gevolg van de late aardappeloogst in alle NEPG landen (BE, DE, FR, NL, UK) is besloten om de bekend making van de officiële NEPG oogstverwachting cijfers uit te stellen naar de derde week november.

Florigo (a tna subsidiary) has announced the launch of a new continuous potato chip fryer that features patented opti-flow® technology for improved frying performance, the Conti-pro® PC 3

Improving safety practices and achieving a safer working environment is a priority for all the EU starch producers. Starch Europe announces today the winners of this year’s safety awards.

INTERPOM | PRIMEURS, the leading indoor trade fair for the potato, vegetable and fruit sector in Europe, shows strong growth in 2016, featuring 310 exhibitors and all stand space fully booked.

Branston, one of the biggest potato suppliers in the United Kingdom, has officially opened its £5 million prepared potato factory extension in partnership with Tesco.

Pulsemaster's new Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) system Solidus can be used for the assessment of the effects of PEF on intact whole potatoes for the production of French Fries, chips (crisps) and potato specialties

Pulsemaster BV uit Bladel introduceert een opmerkelijk effectief nieuw Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) batch systeem op pilot schaal onder de merknaam Solidus. Dit systeem kan worden ingezet voor het bepalen van de effecten van PEF op hele aardappelen voor het maken van frites, chips en aardappelspecialiteiten.

Europe Snacks and Kolak Food Snacks Ltd. announced that they have joined forces.

AHDB Potatoes will use this year’s Seed Industry Event on 3 November to review the industry’s current approach to controlling blackleg. The biennial conference, held this year in St Andrews, will also provide growers with an insight into the potential impact of Brexit, and scope out the potato market, both at home and abroad.

In September 2016, the FAO Food Price Index (FFPI) averaged 170.9 points, up almost 5 points (2.9 percent) from August and 10 percent above the corresponding month last year.

The headline speaker for the next SNACKEX industry event in Vienna (June 2017) has been confirmed: Consumer and Shopper Behaviouralist Ken Hughes

Bayer and Monsanto today announced that they signed a definitive merger agreement under which Bayer will acquire Monsanto for USD 128 per share in an all-cash transaction.

The FAO Food Price Index (FFPI) averaged 165.6 points in August 2016, up 3 points (1.9 percent) from July and almost 7 percent above the corresponding period last year. The August value of the Index is the highest since May 2015.

Bayer AG raised its offer to buy Monsanto Co. and create a new global leader in seeds and pesticides, though the German firm said the higher price depended on achieving a 'negotiated transaction.'

Snyder's-Lance, Inc. today announced that the Company's Kettle Foods subsidiary completed the acquisition of Metcalfe's skinny Limited, by acquiring the remaining 74% interest in the leading UK premium popcorn brand. Kettle Foods had initially acquired a 26% stake in the business from Metcalfe in January 2016.

AHDB Potatoes has produced provisional estimates of planted areas by variety for Great Britain for 2016.