Potato News from Europe

Successful test measurement in french fries production at Bergia Frites in the Netherlands.

En los últimos años, el sector de las papas fritas atraviesa una revolución comercial gracias a nuevas marcas como Patatas PIJO, que ha creado una línea de patatas con personalidad propia (literalmente).

Many potato store operators could make significant savings in energy costs if they obtained more usage data to make informed decisions, according to Ray Andrews of Crop Systems Limited.

The latest estimates from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) show British potato stock levels were down 13 per cent on the five-year average. However, comparable to other tight supply seasons, they were a little higher.

The Environment Agency in the UK has already declared irrigation prospects ‘moderate to poor’ in the East of England – in Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex. AHDB offers suggestions to place farmers in a stronger position this summer.

Supermarkets of the near-future will have their business models radically re-shaped by innovations instore, online, and in the food industry supply chain.

The NEPG (North-Western European Potato Growers) have estimated that the upcoming area for
consumption potatoes in 2019 will increase between 1 and 2 % towards almost 604.000 ha in the 5
main production countries.

Tong Engineering designed and custom-built a seed potato grading facility for B&C Farming, based on the company's current and future requirements as specified by managing director Tony Bambridge

McCain Foods, the world’s largest manufacturer of frozen potato products, has selected e-commerce analytics provider e.fundamentals to help drive sales of its products through retailers’ websites.

Potato Processing Equipment manufacturer Kiremko has introduced a new programme to educate its staff, Kiremko Skills Lab

Birds Eye just announced a new potato side-dish called Mini Rainbow Waffles at retail chain Iceland in the United Kingdom.

The FAO Food Price Index (FFPI) held steady in March 2019, averaging 167 points and still hovering around its highest value since August 2018.

OC Verhulst, since many years the manufacturer of air handling units of outstanding quality, found Mooij Agro as her partner to sell and support the VaccTek® Condenser Dryer; the all-in-one machine for the storage of agricultural crops.

The UK’s approach to weed management investment needs to be overhauled, if the needs of industry are to be met. That was the conclusion of the first ever major cross-sector review of weed management, commissioned by AHDB and BBRO.

Arjan Brouwer is going to fulfill a new role within Kiremko as Area Sales Manager for France, Spain, Portugal and Latin America.

A few years ago Grisnich only manufactured comprehensive grading lines for the processing industry, but for some time now the company has also been a supplier of smaller grading lines suitable for use on farms.

Dewulf, full-liner in agricultural machines for potatoes and carrots, receives a capital injection by family shareholders Hendrik Decramer and Thomas Decan, in collaboration with investor Jan Clarebout.

The potato processing industry in Belgium registered record growth and processed over 5 million tonnes of potatoes in 2018. However, in 2019 the sector faces major challenges as a result of the poor harvest in 2018