Potato News from Africa

IFCG-Egypt launches its new frozen sweet potato wedges season, offering freshly harvested, premium-quality wedges with natural sweetness, vibrant color, and perfect texture—delighting consumers and supporting chefs, retailers, and foodservice.

Natural Storage Solutions Pvt. Ltd. (NSSPL) has announced its participation in SIEMA EXPO 2025, marking the company’s debut in the North African region. The event is taking place from 09–11 September 2025 in Morocco.

Las exportaciones de papa marroquí repuntaron en 2025 con 42.900 toneladas, impulsadas por la reapertura de África Occidental y mayores compras de España, Francia, Portugal y varios países africanos, aunque aún lejos de los niveles récord de 2018/19.

The James Hutton Institute introduced two PCN-resistant potato varieties, Malaika and Glen, in Kenya. Developed with international partners, they boost yields, support food security, and meet local farmers’ needs for fast-cooking, low-dormancy potatoes.

Irish potato farmers in Plateau State, Nigeria, report higher yields this season, with tubers harvested in larger sizes and volumes than in recent years. The increase has followed several years of low yields.

Morocco's potato exports, declining since 2019, are rebounding. Between July 2024 and May 2025, the country shipped 42.9K tons of ware potatoes, worth USD 14.9M, signaling recovery in the sector, according to EastFruit analysts.

IITA, FAO & partners equip 12 African nations to detect/manage Potato Cyst Nematodes, a pest slashing yields & threatening trade, via training, diagnostics, awareness & regional cooperation to protect farmers’ livelihoods & potato production.

WPC President Peter VanderZaag praised Potatoes South Africa’s innovation-driven, grower-owned model during the 2025 Innovation Symposium, highlighting its research, transformation efforts, and global relevance ahead of WPC 2026 in Kenya.

The EU has eased import rules for Egyptian potatoes under Regulation 1289/2025, boosting shipment limits and reducing inspections. Egypt expects lower costs, streamlined exports, and improved competitiveness in key EU markets.

La adopción de una nueva normativa de la UE facilita la exportación de patatas egipcias a los mercados europeos.

The 13th World Potato Congress will be held in Naivasha, Kenya, from October 26–30, 2026—the first in Sub-Saharan Africa. Hosted by NPCK and FreshCrop Ltd, the event will spotlight global potato innovations, food security, and trade.

With Egypt's 2025 potato harvest complete, exporters turn to cold storage to sustain shipments through year-end. Strict post-harvest practices ensure quality for key markets like Russia, the UK, and Asia, maintaining freshness during long transit.

Returning for their 10th and 6th editions, respectively, Food Africa and pacprocess MEA will take place from 9 to 12 December 2025 at the Egypt International Exhibition Center (EIEC).

Rwanda is now a key hub for seed potato trade in the Great Lakes Region, thanks to farmer-led innovations, Africa’s largest minituber facility, a national seed catalogue, and efforts toward regional integration and formal cross-border seed markets.

Natural Storage Solutions Pvt. Ltd. (NSSPL) has announced its return to PROPAK MENA 2025, the region’s premier exhibition for processing and packaging technologies. 

Goodrich Cereals launches its new flavored frozen Potato Gourmet Twist range at FI Africa 2025 in Egypt, June 2–4. Visit booth H2.D43 to taste, explore products, and discuss partnership opportunities.

Kenya will host the 13th World Potato Congress in October/November 2026, following a venue change from Poland. Led by NPCK and supported by key partners, the event aims to spotlight potatoes' role in food security and economic growth.

Potato farmers have urged the government to put more effort into producing certified seed. They have said what is available in the market is costly and inaccessible to most small-scale farmers.