Potato News from Europe

Las patatas procedentes de Francia están desplazando en los mercados a las producidas en España de variedad temprana, justo cuando comienza la comercialización de este tubérculo, especialmente en las comunidades autónomas de Andalucía, Murcia y Valencia.

Delegates of AHDB Potatoes first ever Next Generation Programme overwhelmingly voted McCain Foods as their ‘Best Industry Host’, presenting the award at their final session at AHDB Headquarters, Stoneleigh Park, last month.

KWS is selling its conventional seed potato business to Stet Holland B.V. An agreement to that effect was signed yesterday. The transaction is expected to be completed by mid-2016.

Dutch Potato Storage Specialist Mooij Agro has built a complete mini storage able to simulate a full scale storage facility, including all relevant settings.

Elveden Farms, a West Suffolk estate is set to become a Regional Research & Demonstration Hub for potato growers and suppliers, thanks to funding from the Eastern Agri-Tech Growth Initiative.

Europatat and Freshfel Europe will jointly celebrate their first common annual meeting on 2 June 2016 in Brussels.

La papa (o patata) española tiene entre sus principales retos el de “contar con un consumidor informado y activo”, conocedor de las bondades de la patata nueva, para poner coto al “engaño” que supone el fraude en la cartelería de algunas grandes superficies. Así lo ha advertido el presidente del sector de Patata de Asociafruit, Marco Román, durante el IV Congreso de la Patata Nueva de España, celebrado en Sevilla.

TOMRA Systems ASA, parent company of sensor-based sorting, process analytics and peeling systems manufacturer TOMRA Sorting Food has announced record currency adjusted revenues for 2015 of 6,143 MNOK (€650m, USD 748m), representing a 16 per cent increase on the previous year.

The FAO Food Price Index averaged 151.0 points in March 2016, up 1.0 percent from February, but still 12.0 percent below its March 2015 level. A sharp increase in sugar prices and higher oil prices more than offset a drop of the price of dairy products.

Dutch Potato Company Agrico was awarded the Ambassadors’ Prize 2016 for its project in Kenya that aims to establish a profitable potato chain for all stakeholders, including 12,500 small-scale farms.

Expertos, científicos e investigadores analizarán temas de especial importancia para el sector de la patata en el IV Congreso de Patata Nueva de España, que se desarrollará el 8 de abril en San José de la Rinconada (Sevilla), en los que destaca el fraude o publicidad engañosa en la identificación y etiquetado de la patata nueva en las grandes superficies y cadenas de distribución.

Aviko has launched new Jacket Potatoes in the United Kingdom

La Universidad de la Laguna en las Islas Canarias (España) adelanta un proyecto con varios agricultores para controlar biológicamente a la polilla guatemalteca.

McCain Foods (United Kingdom) has admitted breaching health and safety regulations after a worker nearly lost an arm in an industrial accident at the McCain Foods Whittlesey plant in August 2014

Processing Equipment manufacturer Dutch Tec Source BV (DTS) has built worlds' largest steam cooker for Potato Processor Aviko Rixona.

Research to develop potatoes with sustainable resistance against phytophthora via genetic modification with genes from wild potatoes and good resistance management ended with the publication of the scientific results. The approach resulted in potato plants which require 80% less chemical control.

Tyrrells, the hand-cooked UK crisp brand, is launching a brand new range of sweet potato crisps: 'My Sweet Potato'

Avebe's potato harvest campaign has entered its final stage. The last potatoes are due to be delivered to the production location in Ter Apelkanaal this week.