Potato News from Belgium

The European Potato Processors’ Association (EUPPA) published its latest Facts and Figures for 2025, underlining the scale, economic impact and global trade reach of Europe’s potato processing industry.

En la Unión Europea, la caída de precios de las patatas fritas a fines de 2025 impulsó la demanda y las exportaciones en países como Bélgica, Países Bajos y Alemania. Fuera de Europa, la competencia de China e India y la baja de compras en varios mercados sigue limitando el crecimiento.

The European Snacks Association (ESA) has released its annual report outlining the association’s advocacy work, policy engagement, working group activities and key events during the year.

TOMRA Food launches the DPS-16, a high-capacity dry peel separator processing up to 70 tons of potatoes/hr. Brushless, water-free, and easy to clean, it boosts efficiency and yield for potato and vegetable processors worldwide.

Potato Processor Agristo integrates sustainability into operations, using Operational Excellence to improve efficiency and reduce water, energy, and raw material use—turning smarter processes into a more responsible future.

The European Snacks Association releases its 2025 Sustainability Report, highlighting members’ efforts in resource efficiency, sustainable sourcing, energy savings, and eco-friendly packaging, supporting the EU Green Deal and circular economy initiatives.

The Simplot Company, a privately held global food and agriculture company headquartered in Boise, Idaho, has completed its acquisition of Clarebout Potatoes, a leading European producer of frozen potato products based in Belgium.

AVR launches the finalized version of its legendary self-propelled harvester: the AVR Puma. With a sensational new design at all levels — the ultimate version of a legend, the final roar.

The European RUCIP Committee held a webinar on October 17, 2025 to mark the launch of the RUCIP 2025 Rules, highlighting updates for simpler, faster, and fairer resolution of potato trade disputes across Europe.

FAM STUMABO is expanding globally with new facilities in Spain, Germany, and the USA, reinforcing its commitment to customer proximity, service excellence, and a stronger direct presence across key international markets.

Updated RUCIP Rules have taken effect on October 1 2025, modernizing potato trade in Europe with clearer structure, digital processes, and improved dispute resolution. Learn key changes in a free webinar on 17 Oct 2025, 09:00 CEST.

With rising pressure on cost, consistency, and speed, fresh-cut vegetable processors are rethinking equipment. FAM STUMABO’s trio—Dorphy™ TM, Centris™ 315, and Flexis—delivers faster changeovers, higher throughput, and superior product quality.

Atlas Copco’s heat pumps and steam compressors turn low-temperature waste heat into high-temp energy, cutting energy use and emissions. Electrification replaces fossil fuels, enabling efficient, sustainable, and decarbonized industrial heating.

Polysense, a Belgian technology start-up, raised EUR 2 million (USD 2.3 million) from tech entrepreneurs to further disrupt the food industry. The company specialises in AI solutions for production processes to reduce waste and increase efficiency. 

Lutosa celebrated a key milestone in its development at Waregem, with the official inauguration of a vast industrial investment project.

Clarebout Potatoes, a top Belgian frozen fries producer, is in advanced talks with US giant J.R. Simplot for a major deal, possibly worth billions. The move could expand both firms’ global reach amid rising industry competition.

Brussels marked the 2nd International Day of Potato with a conference and exhibition, highlighting the crop's role in food security, sustainability, and innovation. Stakeholders called for supportive EU policies to boost the potato value chain.

Around the world, celebrations are well underway for the 2nd International Day of the Potato, Friday, May 30th. Launched by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and themed 'Shaping History, Feeding the Future'