Potato News

From throwing birthday parties for children in need to surprising hospital patients with a furry friend to rehabilitating injured veterans, 31 everyday people are being invited into millions of homes this summer to share their stories and spread smiles.

Researchers are developing lower-emissions rice varieties, feed additives and other technological innovations to create a more sustainable food system.

Waterleau Group NV has successfully executed an important capital increase which secures the ambitious plans of the company for the future.

Highlander Partners, L.P., a leading middle-market private investment firm based in Dallas, Texas, through its newly-formed food platform, Benestar Brands ("Benestar"), announced the acquisition of Evans Food Group ("Evans") from Wind Point Partners.

Mister Bee Potato Chips plans to construct a half-million-dollar warehouse next to its location on West Virginia Avenue in Parkersburg.

Potato Storage Specialist Tolsma-Grisnich has decided not to take part in the Potato Europe event in Kain, Belgium, this year, and will instead be focusing fully on the Agritechnica fair in Hanover (November) and the Agribex show in Brussels (December)

Frozen French Fry manufacturer McCain Foods prioritises its Latin America investments in Brazil, sending waves of concern to its Argentinian subsidiary about its future.

In mid-July, a new variety of potato named Alliston was officially registered with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, making it the first tater in history to take its name from the potato capital of Ontario.

The FAO Food Price Index averaged 170.9 points in July 2019, down 1.1 percent (1.8 points) from June but 2.3 percent higher than in July 2018. The month-on-month decline was the result of lower prices for some cereals, dairy products and sugar.

The United Potato Growers of Canada (UPGC) recently presented Mr. Ivan Noonan with a Certificate of Appreciation as a founding Co-Chair of the UPGC, which was formed in 2006.

Canadian potato processing company Cavendish Farms, a subsidiary of J.D. Irving, announced last week that it will build a new potato research and plant breeding centre in New Annan, Prince Edward Island.

In Western Australia, the potato industry is embarking on a major effort to develop export opportunities

The largest potato grower, packer and marketer of Jersey Royal new potatoes has seen a significant reduction in labour costs after investing in three Haith destoners for its potato packing operations

In the United Kingdom, restrictions on the use of products containing Maleic Hydrazide (MH) - used to control volunteers and to suppress sprouting during storage - have been removed following a review by the Chemicals Regulation Division (CRD) of the HSE.

IRI sales data April through June showed success for potato sales in retail outlets in the United States, reports Potatoes USA.

Processing equipment manufacturer Key Technology has appointed Jeff Nielsen as Area Sales Manager. He will offer Key’s digital sorting, conveying and automation systems to food processors in the Southeast and South Central United States.

Recent research at the James Hutton Institute suggests that limited genetic differences in potato lineages has left British and American spuds vulnerable to late blight, the disease that caused the Irish potato famine.

UK consumers may face a home-grown potatoes shortage next year as stocks run out due to new storage rules.