Potato News from the Americas

Ellips added four Elisam potato grading installations across North America in 2026, using True-AI technology to grade potatoes by size, shape, color and defects while improving throughput and consistency.

Tolsma-Grisnich introduces Optica S, an optical sorter that removes stones, clods, soil and crop defects before storage. With capacities up to 80 tonnes per hour, it improves storage efficiency, reduces waste and boosts returns for growers.

PepsiCo is combining AI, regenerative agriculture and ag-tech partnerships to help farmers improve soil health, use resources efficiently and strengthen farm resilience, including at a fourth-generation potato farm in Alberta, Canada.

Tasteful Selections showcased Crispy Potato Bites in Garlic Herb, Buffalo Ranch and Sweet Onion Asiago at Grimmway Produce Group’s Booth 1229 during the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show, highlighting convenient, crispy fresh potato options.

PAPAS researchers spotlight Idaho’s pale cyst nematode challenge in AGDAILY, highlighting trap crops, biofumigation, resistant varieties, and integrated strategies to advance eradication and protect potato production.

Urschel and KRONEN will showcase integrated processing solutions at Pack Expo International 2026, including the Sprint 2 Dicer and HEWA 3800 PLUS, alongside cutting, washing, drying and produce processing equipment.

McCain Foods Canada has launched Air Fryer Thin Crisps and Tater Crisps, offering restaurant-style crispiness in 9–10 minutes. The launch includes a Fryjacking marketing campaign and promotional events at Ontario universities.

Urschel Laboratories appointed Tim Crammer as President, effective October 12, 2026. Formerly a senior executive at Henny Penny Corporation, Crammer will work alongside CEO Rick Urschel to strengthen leadership and support the company's future growth.

Flikweert Vision introduces its upgraded QualityGrader to North America at IFPA 2026, featuring AI-powered sorting, up to 30 tonnes per hour capacity, flexible configurations and improved quality inspection for potatoes and onions.

EarthFresh Butter Potatoes are gaining momentum across North America, reaching over 4 million households. With acreage up 40% and 100% incremental sales, the premium lineup offers retailers new opportunities to grow the potato category.

Lamb Weston reported Q1 fiscal 2027 net sales of USD 1.67 billion, up 1%, with North America volume growth driving results. The company raised its full-year outlook for net sales, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Diluted EPS.

Eagle Eye Produce has completed a new red and yellow potato packing facility in Idaho Falls, adding automation and AI-powered optical grading to improve efficiency, quality and flexibility while supporting program growth.

Idaho’s 2026 potato harvest is showing solid quality but lower yields, with frost, heat, warm nights and wildfire smoke affecting production. Planted area fell to 298,915 acres as growers report smaller crops.

Uglies® Sweet Potato Chips won two 2026 industry awards. Its Hot Honey flavor received a Best New Product Award, while its Original, Hot Honey and Spicy BBQ varieties earned Double Gold for taste and packaging.

Ellips will showcase four AI-powered potato and onion grading solutions at the Global Produce & Floral Show 2026 in Orlando, highlighting automation, labor savings, defect detection, higher throughput, CombiGrader and CleanFlow Pre-Sorter.

Deprez has partnered with Exeter Engineering to strengthen its presence in North America. The collaboration will focus on providing automated solutions to improve product flow, storage and handling for citrus processors and packers.

Lamb Weston has appointed Sean M. Krajnik as Vice President of Manufacturing. He will oversee several U.S. production facilities, bringing more than 25 years of experience in plant operations, operational excellence, and people development.

PepsiCo will invest USD 1 billion in Colombia over five years to expand production and distribution, an investment that could strengthen its potato supply chain, where it is already the country’s largest industrial buyer at around 84,000 tonnes per year.