Potato News from United Kingdom

The smell of a baked potato can actually make us feel happier. Scientists in the UK discovered that the aromas given off during the cooking process can trigger positive memories in the brain.

The very early discovery of a new potato blight strain in Britain doesn't mean that spray programmes will have to change this year, agree researchers and agronomists.

Following a series of meetings focused on the Northern Ireland’s potato industry Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) deputy president Harry Sinclair has said the potato sector is, and will continue to be an important part of Northern Ireland’s agriculture industry.

Burts Potato Chips' Nick Hurst, who recently sold his majority stake in the business, has said the company can 'go from strength to strength' following the sale.

Jersey Royal potatoes will be harvested two to three weeks later than usual this year, says an island grower.

Exceptional demand for prime sponsorship opportunities at World Potato Congress 2012 (WPC2012) has led to a few very special exclusive packages being created for those who don’t want to miss this unique opportunity.

Herbert Engineering has supplied a new potato grader to Billockby Farms.

In the United Kingdom (only!) McCain Foods is offering consumers the chance to win £100,000 via their new on-pack promotion ‘Lucky Spuds’.

World Potato Congress has become an important diary date and many of the potato industry’s leading international researchers have already registered to attend. In addition, the Fifth Potato Virus ‘Y’ (PVY-wide) workshop and a meeting of United Nations...

Burts Potato Chips directors Nick Hurst and Jonty White have sold their stakes in the UK crisp firm.

Private equity firms Blackstone Group LP and PAI Partners SAS have appointed Credit Suisse Group to work on a potential sale of the salty snacks arm of their cakes-to-peanuts business United Biscuits Ltd. in a process that could fetch as much as £500 m...

The Potato Council has allayed fears that the price of potatoes could increase if the crop is affected by drought.

Walkers Sunbites has won a Silver Design Business Association (DBA) 'Design Effectiveness' award for its new pack design. During the relaunch of Sunbites in 2011, the brand undertook a pack design change which has helped the growth of the brand to see...

McCain Foods (GB) has appointed Manchester’s Blue Chip Marketing to create and implement promotional activities for its frozen potato products. Blue Chip won the work after a three-way national pitch. Its creative director Stewart Hilton said the task...

Britain faces a potato shortage this summer if low rainfall persists in the south of England, according to a new forecast. Any shortfall will lead to higher prices for chips, crisps and bags of potatoes.

Los cultivos de papa en el Reino Unido se encuentran expuestos al riesgo de una nueva y agresiva enfermedad que se ha extendido rápidamente por todo el resto de Europa. La enfermedad, Dickeya solani, ha sido vista por primera vez hace sólo siete años, ...

Defra has left the British potato industry scratching its head after revealing that just 17% of the potatoes the department buys come from the UK.

The 12 months up to January was the eighth-driest year in the UK since records began and unless there is substantial, above-average rainfall in the coming weeks, growers will almost certainly face water restrictions this summer.