Potato News from Europe

More than 140 potato growers, advisors and agronomists met at Frederick Hiam Ltd, Tuddenham, Suffolk at the end of August, 2013, for Potato Council’s East of England Potato Day.

Over the next 5 years, northwest European potato prices are expected to gradually climb and elevated price volatility set to persist, according to a new report by Rabobank.

The potato and potato processing industry is changing and Tummers is taking the lead in offering solutions in response. Up to now at most factories the potatoes have been unloaded at high capacity from the lorry, then sorted by size and stored in bunkers unwashed.

Koppert is presenting the most recent test results for Proradix Agro at the PotatoEurope trade fair in Emmeloord, the Netherlands.

Sensor-based sorting system designer and manufacturer TOMRA Sorting Solutions has announced the appointment of Volker Rehrmann as its new head.

Sensor-based sorting systems pioneer TOMRA Sorting Solutions will showcase its whole potato capabilities at potato industry event Potato Europe.

The FAO Food Price Index averaged 201.8 points in August 2013, nearly 4 points (1.9 percent) below its July value and 11 points (or 5.1 percent) less than in August 2012. Last month’s decline was the fourth in a row.

This week, Breeders Trust successfully reached an agreement with eight Italian agricultural cooperatives and producers that propagated potato varieties and marketed these as officially certified seed potatoes, without permission of the variety owner.

Machinery manufacturer Tong Peal has announced a brand new machinery finishing process, as part of continued efforts to provide farmers and growers with the highest quality custom handling equipment.

La Consejería de Agricultura ha editado un nuevo boletín informativo que recoge la situación del sector en Europa, en España, y en la Comunidad, ante el inicio de la campaña de arranque.

Branston and Tesco are offering consumers the opportunity to have their moment of fame with their new ‘Pic on a Pack' initiative. Customers have at chance to have their photo featured on packs of freshly prepared Parmentier potatoes.

Swedish chip brand Estrella are going to replace the Union Jack with an Irish tricolour following a request from an Irishman based in Sweden to correctly illustrate the history of salt and vinegar flavoured snacks.

Richard Newman has joined the team at R J Herbert Engineering Ltd in the role of sales manager for farm and recycling.

As of early August, the Dutch airline Corendon is serving french fries during all its flights.

Guy Huybrechts will become the new CEO of the Dutch Potato Processor Farm Frites. In September he will succeed the current managing director, Danny Dresselaerts.

McCain Foods is set to unveil its new Happy Days campaign on 2 September, featuring outdoor, press, TV, cinema and in-store activity, along with a 3.7 million household door drop.

AVR is a leading supplier of agricultural machines, specializing in potato cultivation mechanization. Since spring of this year, crop handling technology has been added to our line-up following the acquisition of Climax International B.V.

Yield trials of the Dutch Farmers Union VTA indicate a yield mid August 19 percent below the 5-year average.