Potato News from the Americas

Aunque la soja y el maíz tienen mayor valor de exportación, la papa depende del mercado interno, es altamente perecedera y resulta especialmente sensible a los costos logísticos, por lo que el aumento del transporte impacta con más fuerza en su cadena.

Dallas hosted the event amid political uncertainty, tariffs, strained trade ties and migrant labour crackdowns, while the Trump administration provided nearly USD 40 billion in farm aid, though none was specifically directed at potato production sector.

Eleven additional states can export fresh table-stock and chipping potatoes to South Korea, according to a Jan. 23 agreement announced by the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

Savory snack food sales surged to USD 742 million during Super Bowl Week 2025, according to new Circana data commissioned by SNAC International, the leading international trade association for the snack industry representing over 200 companies worldwide.

Michigan State University Extension will host a free six-session 2026 Regenerative Agriculture Winter Webinar Series in February. The virtual program will share practical strategies to improve soil health, water quality and farm resilience.

SNAC International has announced the appointment of Cindy Kuester as its new President & CEO, effective February 9, 2026. Kuester brings more than 25 years of experience in the food industry, having spent many years at Snak King.

La Araucania lanzará el proyecto Papa Huella Cero, para reducir el uso de agroquímicos en el cultivo de papa mediante un protocolo agroecológico basado en la medición del impacto ambiental y validado directamente con productores.

McCain Foods has released its 2025 Global Sustainability Report, sharing progress toward its sustainability commitments with the completion of a key pledge made in 2021, and outlines refreshed sustainability targets to 2030.

The Campbell's Company plans to close the Cape Cod potato chip plant in Hyannis, Massachusetts and shift production to other facilities as part of an efficiency drive.

Jared Balcom, a fourth-generation potato grower from Pasco, Washington, has been named the 2026 Potato Person of the Year in recognition of his long-standing leadership and advocacy on behalf of the United States potato industry.

The Potato Sustainability Alliance (PSA) has announced updates to its Board of Directors and Executive Committee, including the election of new leadership and the retirement of several long-serving directors. 

En Chile, el Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería (MAG) lanzó un plan piloto de trazabilidad agrícola para papa y cebolla con apoyo de OIRSA, mientras el sector papero enfrenta la llamada “paradoja de las papas”, donde altos rendimientos generan sobreoferta y caída de precios.

Solynta, a leader in hybrid potato breeding, secured major growth funding as EW Group acquired a majority stake. The investment will speed its goal to double global potato yields while halving crop protection use and reducing land needs worldwide.

FPS Food Process Solutions adds Symotab to its portfolio, expanding compact coating solutions for protein and snack processors. Symotab’s 3-in-1 CombiCoater reduces line length, simplifies sanitation, and improves coating consistency.

Idahoan Foods has launched its new 'Get Real' campaign, created by The Brandon Agency, highlighting its Real Potatoes, Real Easy promise. The campaign positions Idahoan mashed potatoes as a quick, affordable and wholesome option made with 100% real potatoes.

Potato Expo in Dallas brings growers, suppliers and industry leaders together. NPC CEO Kam Quarles says the event is a must-attend opportunity to reconnect the potato community, spark new ideas and help shape the future of the industry.

En Estados Unidos, la FDA avaló la papa Russet Burbank II de J. R. Simplot, una variedad GMO desarrollada con resistencia natural al *Phytophthora infestans*, al considerarla tan segura como las convencionales y capaz de reducir pesticidas y mejorar el almacenamiento.

FPS Food Process Solutions, a global leader in turn-key food processing solutions, and subsidiary GEM Equipment of Oregon, launches VersaFry as the latest collaborative innovation, specifically targeted to the growing snack and appetizer market.