Potato News from Europe

Seed potato breeding and trading company Royal HZPC Group, expects to achieve a strong result for the financial year 2024/2025 (July – June), with global total tonnage potentially surpassing the 1 million ton mark for the first time.

Sormac, a leading technology manufacturer for the vegetable processing industry, is showcasing four cutting-edge innovations at Fruit Logistica 2025, taking place in Berlin, Germany, from February 5-7.

Aviko, Europe's largest producer of potato products in the out-of-home segment and one of the top five world market leaders, has signed a trade agreement for seed potatoes together with Averis, a subsidiary of potato starch group Royal Avebe and specialised in the development, propagation and trade of starch potato varieties.

Nanna Tate, a new potato brand from leading supplier, Branston, has expanded its offering, with the launch of its range of prepared potato dishes, set to land in Tesco stores in February.

The evening of February 4 was entirely dedicated to the potato: For the 19th International Berlin Potato Evening, hosted by the German Potato Trade Association (DKHV), leading representatives of the European potato industry gathered in the festive ballroom of the Hilton Berlin at Gendarmenmarkt.

Sormac, the leading supplier of machines, entire processing lines and turnkey solutions for the fresh-cut fruit and vegetable industry acquires a majority stake in the German food technology manufacturer Foodcons.

Ukrainian farmers haven’t been able to avoid a drop in potato prices, according to analysts from the EastFruit project. Experts note that while potato prices in Ukraine remained relatively stable for two weeks, many producers are now forced to lower their prices this week.

The Consumption Potatoes Working Group (WCA) of the Dutch Agricultural Union (NAV) has made an estimate of the cost price for the upcoming season (2025). In recent years (harvests of 2022, 2023, and 2024), potato growers have already faced a significant increase in costs.

Over the past four years, Vultus has performed field trials, collecting field data to develop several analysis services for the potato industry and their farmers.

Los Países Bajos son el gran ganador en términos porcentuales, siendo la gran mayoría de las importaciones de origen holandés. El perdedor, el Reino Unido.

Fruit Logistica, the leading trade show for the global fruit and vegetable business returned to Berlin from 5 to 7 February 2025, with over 2,600 exhibitors from more than 90 countries and all parts of the fresh produce value chain.

The FAO Food Price Index* (FFPI) averaged 124.9 points in January 2025, down 2.1 points (1.6 percent) from its revised December level. Decreases in the price indices for sugar, vegetable oils and meat more than offset increases in those for dairy products and cereals.

Las perspectivas para esta próxima campaña no son muy auspiciosas y de hecho se asemeja mucho a la campaña anterior. Se recomienda realizar pedidos de semilla lo antes posible.

Las dificultades climáticas y las exigencias de mercados hacen que el desarrollo de variedades sea un esfuerzo incesante.

Manter, a specialist in weighing and packaging solutions, expands its portfolio with the launch of the brand-new Punnet Filler. This automatic packaging machine is highly user-friendly and responds to the growing market demand, particularly the increasing need for sustainable punnet packaging. 

PotatoEurope 2025, scheduled to take place on September 3 and 4 at the Wageningen University & Research (WUR) Field Crops location by the Dutch city Lelystad, has announced the international conference titled 'Integrated Crop Management (ICM) – The Future of Potato Farming.'

Visit Eqraft's new booth at Fruit Logistica in Berlin from February 5-7, where they'll unveil the latest edition of the Eqraft® Magazine, showcase several innovative products, and share a newly developed growth strategy for the years ahead. Join them to celebrate recent achievements and explore future opportunities together!

On 1 February 2025 Alexander Stein (51) will become project manager of FRUIT LOGISTICA. He takes over from Kai Mangelberger (45), who has been in charge of the leading trade fair for the global fruit trade since 2021.