Potato News from Europe

To combat the decline in the number of growers and in domestic production, the government is authorizing trials with GMO varieties, a disruptive move by European standards.

Los productores advierten sobre una drástica reducción en la superficie cultivada, la pérdida del mercado europeo y la inclinación de algunos sectores por optar por la patata francesa almacenada.

Pese a la sobre oferta palpable en los mercados de consumo, los precios de los contratos futuros se disparan ante la incertidumbre por la guerra en el medio oriente y la ecuación de costos asociados.

Scottish seed potato grower WW Martin & Son doubled labour productivity after installing a fully integrated grading line from Tong Engineering, featuring Flikweert Vision optical sorting for faster throughput, precise grading and defect removal.

PotatoEurope 2026 will return to Germany on September 9-10, 2026, at the Rittergut Gestorf estate near Hanover, showcasing the latest technology and innovations in potato cultivation and processing.

TNA Solutions to launch tna robag® Quantum packaging system at interpack 2026, engineered to help food manufacturers increase throughput, simplify operations and respond faster to changing market demands.

KTH researchers developed peptide CS5 targeting Phytophthora infestans, cause of potato late blight. It blocks a key enzyme, stopping infection without harming crops and offering a sustainable alternative to chemical sprays as climate change spreads.

Breizh Frites, founded by Pascal Lemaire, Jean-Pierre Rivery, and Hervé Le Gall, launched Brittany’s first fresh pre-cooked fries plant in Plumieux, building a fully local supply chain with farmers and distributing via Réseau Le Saint.

After decades of negotiations, the agreement between the two blocs finally entered into force on May 1, creating a market worth more than USD 22 trillion.

Anéolia, a French manufacturer of gas analysis and package leak detection instruments for the food packaging industry, will introduce its newly released Elyos instrument at interpack 2026, taking place from May 7-13 in Düsseldorf, Germany.

TNA Solutions to unveil Patent-Pending Vacuum De-Oiler at Interpack 2026, Cutting Potato Chip Fat Content to the Low 20% Range

Lo que comenzó como un sueño hoy es una realidad y la comarca de A Limia tiene su propio vodka a base de patatas. Una muestra más de la versatilidad del tubérculo y el ingenio español.

In the Netherlands, the weak table potato market, fewer contracts and disappointing exports are putting pressure on the seed potato market. HZPC and Agrico describe the current situation as a market correction following exceptionally strong years.

Rosenqvists Food Technologies will again sponsor the Snack Science Hub, the seminar programme organised by the European Snacks Association and hosted during SNACKEX 2026 in Lisbon, Portugal, on June 17-18.

Urschel will debut the Little Gem Aspire Dicer at Interpack 2026 in Düsseldorf, offering 2–20 mm slices, strips, and dices with low footprint cost. Also shown: E TranSlicer with conveyor, Affinity Integra Dicer, and Comitrol DM 380 for nuts.

Potatoes in Practice 2026, Scotland's largest field-based potato event, will take place on Thursday, August 13, at The James Hutton Institute's Balruddery Farm in Invergowrie, near Dundee.

Las bajas cotizaciones y las lluvias invernales llevaron a muchos productores a no cosechar sus patatas y a enterrar una producción cuyo costo de recolección superaba el valor de mercado.

Private label is reshaping Europe’s grocery sector, reaching 38.8% share across 17 markets. Once seen as budget, it now rivals brands in quality and trust. With a Euro 387B market, retailers and producers like Agristo drive growth and innovation.