News on Industry Associations

National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles issued the following statement congratulating Brooke Rollins, who was confirmed today by the full Senate to serve as Secretary of the USA Department of Agriculture

On 1 February 2025 Alexander Stein (51) will become project manager of FRUIT LOGISTICA. He takes over from Kai Mangelberger (45), who has been in charge of the leading trade fair for the global fruit trade since 2021.

El European Statistics Handbook, publicado por Fruit Logistica, destaca que, a pesar de los grandes desafíos, la producción de fruta y verdura en Europa muestra resultados mixtos.

HyFun Foods, India’s largest processor of potatoes in frozen French fries and potato specialities and its farmer-facing venture HyFarm are now Gold members of the World Potato Congress Inc.’s prestigious 'Sustaining Partner Program'. 

The British Potato Industry Event 2025 is back this November, uniting professionals from across the potato supply chain for two action-packed days of networking, innovation, and industry insights.

Susie Thompson associate professor of plant sciences, has been named the inaugural Johansen-Thompson Endowed Professor in Potato Breeding at North Dakota State University. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the appointment of 11 members to Potatoes USA’s Board of Directors. The appointees include nine producer members and one public member, who will serve three-year terms that expire Feb. 28, 2028.

GB Potatoes has announced that Alex Godfrey will be taking over the reins as Chairman after being elected at the Annual General meeting on the 12th December. Alex takes over from Mark Taylor who has been the Chair ever since the launch of the organisation in 2022.

The breeding company Averis, located in Veendam, has joined Breeders Trust as a shareholder. Breeders Trust supports participating companies in protecting and enforcing plant breeder rights and contract terms.

The Irish National Potato Conference and Trade Show 2024 will take place in the City North Hotel, Gormanston, Co Meath, (K32 W562) on Thursday, 21st November, with registration open from 9am.

The World Potato Congress Inc. continues to grow and develop partnerships with potato organizations from around the world and has added Cavendish Farms as part of this portfolio of partners.

The Potato Sustainability Alliance (PSA) has welcomed seven new members to its organization since the first quarter of 2024. RPE, LLC becomes the third member of the Fresh Marketer Sector to join PSA, and will be offering access to PSAs annual on-farm self-assessment.

GB Potatoes has been welcomed participation from all in the potato supply chain, including growers, packers, processors, seed growers, research organisations, independent advisors, and ancillary businesses.

La feria numero uno del mundo para el sector hortofrutícola se realizará en IFEMA, Madrid, con fuerte énfasis en la sostenibilidad, la gestión del agua, y el aumento de la producción.

Potatoes USA, the national marketing, research, and promotion board for the potato industry, elected Shelley R. Olsen as Chair of the Board at its annual meeting. Potatoes USA also announced its Executive Committee members to lead the organization through 2024-2025.

Prof Ian Toth, a distinguished figure in the potato research community, has been appointed as the new President of the European Association for Potato Research (EAPR).

The PEI Potato Board recently welcomed a 15 member delegation from the
Philippines.

John Sedgwick, the UK Potato Supply Manager at Lamb Weston, has been officially named the new Board Chair of the UK Potato Processors’ Association (PPA).