Potato News from Europe

Flikweert Vision officially signed a dealership agreement with Volm Companies, marking a major milestone in its international expansion. The signing took place in Zeeland, where Volm’s Wayne DeCou and Matthew Alexander joined CEO Martijn Flikweert.

CêlaVíta, the Dutch chilled potato processor once owned by McCain, will not restart after bankruptcy. All 171 jobs are lost as the Wezep factory is dismantled and auctioned, marking the end of a well-known name in potato processing.

On September 25 and 26, 2025, Verbruggen Palletizing Solutions celebrated the grand opening of its new headquarters in Emmeloord, the Netherlands.

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.

Selecting the right cutting method is vital for accuracy, reduced waste, and consistent texture. Herbort GmbH launches the universal 122W cutting machine, offering precision, versatility, and efficiency in fruit and vegetable processing.

Grup Șerban Holding, Romania’s top potato producer and supplier, joins Europatat. Farming 13,000 ha, it supplies PepsiCo and retailers, expands storage and builds a frozen potato plant. Listed on the Bucharest Stock Exchange (GSH).

'La patata de calidad se carga, pero la otra no se quiere' . El precio no cubre costos y hay dificultades con los contratos.

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.

Lamb Weston’s Frenzy Fries won Gold at the National Restaurant Pub and Bar Show Innovation Challenge for their creative, experiential concept. Judges praised the product’s innovation and market impact.

Royal HZPC Group plans to acquire Ireland-based IPM Potato Group, a leading seed potato breeder and exporter, boosting HZPC’s UK and global presence.

The FAO Food Price Index (FFPI) averaged 128.8 points in September 2025, down slightly from its revised August level of 129.7 points. Declines in the cereal, dairy, sugar, and vegetable oil indices outweighed an increase in the meat index.

Sormac will showcase its cutting-edge fresh-cut processing tech at Pack Expo (Las Vegas, Sept 29–Oct 1, 2025) and Fruit Attraction (Madrid, Sept 30–Oct 2, 2025), featuring the BSM Belt Slicer, FS-3600 MultiSystem, and more live demos.

The UK distributor of Algifol is to exhibit at British Potato for a second time and is running a special competition to mark 20 years of representing the seaweed-based biostimulant in the UK.

Fruit Attraction 2025 (30 Sep–2 Oct, IFEMA Madrid) hosts 2,460 exhibitors (+8.4%), 78,000 m² (+10%) and 120,000 professionals. Key highlights: Innova&Tech growth, Organic Hub Tour, Mexico & Malaysia as guest importers, tomato as featured product.

The 72nd Potato Autumn Exchange in Hamburg tackled rising transport costs, CO₂ pricing, and logistics challenges amid Europe’s record potato harvest. Leaders discussed solutions like digital tools and alternative drives to boost supply chain efficiency.

Los supermercados se benefician mientras que los agricultores no alcanzan a cubrir sus costos. El malestar del sector es grande.

Biostimulant strategies can help potato crops better cope with field stress conditions, as well as enhance tuber numbers and proportion of marketable crop, according to results of plots at Potatoes in Practice Open Day at the James Hutton Institute.

Mooij Agro launches Croptimiz-r MAX, a next-gen controller for crop storage. It manages up to 16 cells, automates climate control, cuts energy use, and protects crop quality. Key features include a 12” touchscreen, EVA assistant, and remote access.