Potato News from Germany

KWS SAAT SE and the J.R. Simplot Company have founded a new joint venture company Aardevo B.V., to deliver top performing potato varieties through hybrid breeding.

At Potato Europe, breeding company Dr. K.-H. Niehoff will present a new table potato, the Macarena, a variety with a number of traits that are expected to generate particular interest given the weather conditions this year in Germany.

At this years PotatoEurope, which takes place from 12th to 13th September in Bockerode (near to Hanover, Germany) GRIMME will present two new self-propelled harvesters for the first time at an international trade show.

During Potato Europe 2018, Dewulf, manufacturer of a full line of agricultural machinery for the cultivation of potatoes and root crops, will present familiar favourites and two new machines.

The heatwave in Germany is also affecting the harvest of potato varieties needed to make potato chips. Due to the extraordinary weather conditions, the potato chips will be smaller this year.

The Emsland Group, a potato processor with seven production plants throughout Germany, explains the supply challenges they are faced with as a result of the extreme drought in Germany and other parts of Europe.

Potato starch manufacturer Avebe is looking to expand its growing area in Germany. Avebe Germany account managers Ulrike Ziervogel and Hauke Warnecke explain the ambitions and how the company intends to realise them.

Some 20 specialist exhibitors will show practical solutions for organic potato cultivation at Potato Europe 2018 exhibition – Demonstrations of mechanical weed control to feature at the event this year

In Pulsed Electric Field Treatment of potato, the treatment intensity needs to be monitored to optimize process performance and product yield. So how can that be done?

The German Association of Fruit, Vegetables and Potato Processing Industry (BOGK) expects that the potato harvest in Germany and Europe will be significantly reduced in quantity, as well as quality compared to the previous year due to the long ongoing drought and heat wave.

A recent study on the impact of Pulsed Electric Field treatment (PEF) in the potato processing industry has shown substantial benefits in comparison to the regular process using conventional pre-heaters.

Bosch has decided to sell it packaging business. Although Bosch Packaging Technology is among the largest manufacturers of packaging equipment world-wide, the company does not consider it its core business.

PotatoEurope 2018, one of the top events for the international potato industry, returns to Germany on September 12 and 13.

Bayer plans to complete the acquisition of Monsanto on June, 7, following the receipt of all required approvals from regulatory authorities.

KWS has offered to buy Bayer’s Dutch vegetable seed company Nunhems.

Preparations for this year's PotatoEurope exhibition are progressing well, with planting now complete at the event venue, Rittergut Bockerode farm, near Hanover in Germany

Today, TOMRA, announced the appointment of Felix Flemming to Head of Digital for TOMRA Sorting Solutions. His appointment and mandate highlights the growing importance of software in (food) processing equipment.

Two potato packaging companies in Germany have been fined a total of ‎€ 13.2 million (USD 15.8 million) for price fixing related to their supplies to the Metro Supermarket group.