Potato News from Africa

World Potato Congress launches the 'Growing the Future' Youth Engagement & 4K Club Program in Kenya, bringing 40 students from 10 schools together to learn potato production, compete in five categories and build a lasting agricultural legacy.

Sensitar has commissioned a 3-t/h fully automatic French fry production line in Egypt, expanding local processing capacity as demand for frozen fries grows and supporting development of the processed food sector in North Africa.

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.

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.

Natural Storage Solutions Pvt. Ltd. has signed an MoU with the Republic of Ghana to support agricultural development through food processing technologies and post-harvest infrastructure, with the aim of reducing losses and improving food security.

EFC Plants is expanding its integrated seed potato platform in Egypt, combining G0 mini-tuber production, tissue culture, molecular diagnostics and technical support.

With 100 days to go until the 13th World Potato Congress in Kenya, organizers announced new speakers, reopened late poster abstract submissions, and highlighted key program updates, field demonstrations, partnerships, and networking opportunities.

Solynta has secured approval for its hybrid true potato seed variety SOLHY023 in Kenya, expanding its HTPS portfolio with stronger late blight resistance and supporting resilient, disease-free potato production through advanced hybrid breeding.

Zimbabwe harvested 100,055 t. of potatoes in the 2025/26 summer season, raising average yields to 29 t/ha. Expanding production to meet winter targets will depend on greater access to certified seed, irrigation, storage, processing, and investment.

World Potato Congress extended the early bird registration deadline for its 2026 congress in Naivasha to 6 July. The event will feature technical tours, including Farmer Field Day, and bring together global potato industry delegates and farmers.

Potato breeders in Kenya are developing new varieties that combine disease resistance with the frying qualities needed for French fries. The work aims to improve yields, strengthen the potato value chain and deliver better fries for consumers daily.

MYDIPUREE introduces premium potato flakes from selected Algerian potatoes using modern technology for consistent quality. Suitable for instant mashed potatoes, snacks, bakery, and meat products, offered in 20 kg packs for global export markets.

East African potato farmers face rising costs from late blight. Through the Crop Trust's BOLD project, breeders and farmers are testing potatoes with wild resistance traits to cut spraying, lower costs and improve food security in Kenya and Uganda.

World Potato Congress Inc. will host a June 18 webinar previewing the 13th World Potato Congress in Kenya. The session will highlight the Congress program, field days, technical tours and key industry initiatives ahead of the October event.

Modern potatoes are bred from a relatively narrow genetic pool, while the diseases and environmental pressures affecting potato production continue to evolve.

In South Africa potatoes are the fourth most consumed staple food after maize, wheat, and rice. They are a valuable source of affordable energy and nutrition and play an important role in feeding households throughout the year.

FPS Food Process Solutions (FPS) has secured a major project with MAF Gateways, a leading distributor of frozen French fries, to deliver a complete end-to-end potato processing line in Egypt serving both local and international export markets.

World Potato Congress 2026 in Kenya is nearing, with key deadlines in May and July. New speakers include Jamey Higham and Hamadi Boga, while delegates can expect global insights, Kenyan cuisine, and funded travel opportunities.