Potato News from the Americas

Secondary packaging in 2026 focuses on sustainability, retail-ready designs, recyclable variety packs, and robotics. BPA supports food producers with efficient, cost-saving automation while ensuring EPR compliance and optimized machine TCO.

After a 2025 marked by oversupply and falling prices, Argentina’s potato sector is reducing planted area by 12% in the southeast of Buenos Aires to restore balance, efficiency, and sustainability in the 2025/2026 season.

At the end of March, potato growers in Brazil are adjusting their strategies in response to the combined impact of adverse weather, input cost pressures, and a market with lower quality and weaker prices, despite advances in innovation.

El proyecto Papa Nativa enfrenta el impacto del clima y el aumento de plagas en Huánuco, impulsando medidas fitosanitarias, mejoras en la calidad de semilla y estrategias comerciales para sostener la producción y acceder a nuevos mercados.

El reconocimiento oficial a Guarapuava refleja décadas de desarrollo basado en tecnología, cooperativismo y condiciones agroclimáticas favorables, consolidándola como referente clave en la producción de papa en Brasil.

Maine marked its 206th birthday on March 15, 2026, celebrating its admission as the 23rd state of the United States in 1820. While blueberries symbolize the state, potatoes remain a vital part of Maine’s agricultural heritage and economy.

The Idaho Potato Commission board approved an increase to its budget for the fiscal year ending August 31, following strong potato production in 2025 and continued momentum in the market.

Heat and Control will showcase snack processing innovations at SNX 2026, including high-speed packaging, precise seasoning, and water recirculation tech that cuts freshwater use by up to 75%, improving efficiency, sustainability, and product quality.

Colombia has revoked all anti-dumping duties on frozen fries from Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands, fully restoring EU market access. This ends a six-year WTO dispute and reopens trade worth €19.3M (USD 21M) annually under full MPIA compliance.

Potato producers in the Red River Valley of Minnesota and North Dakota are facing delays in securing seasonal workers through the H-2A visa program, raising concerns about potential impacts on the 2026 crop year.

The World Potato Congress Inc. is now calling for Expressions of Interest (EOI) from parties interested in hosting the 15th and 16th World Potato Congresses to be held in 2030 and 2032.

Alimentado con energía solar y equipado con sensores y aprendizaje automático, el robot es capaz de monitorear cultivos de papa y apoyar la agricultura de precisión.

La Ruta de la Papa 2026 reunirá en marzo en Vargem Grande do Sul a productores, investigadores y analistas del sector para debatir innovación, sanidad y perspectivas de mercado de la papa en Brasil.

The Kraft Heinz Company has introduced the HEINZ Dipper, a newly designed fry box with an integrated ketchup compartment that allows consumers to dip fries easily while on the go.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) announced this week that it has reached an agreement with its Mexican counterpart allowing fresh Canadian potatoes to be exported to Mexico for consumption or processing.

Cape Cod has launched limited-edition Lemon Herb Butter potato chips for spring, featuring citrus, herbs and buttery seasoning on its signature kettle chips. The new flavor is rolling out at Walmart, Publix and Target, with strong fan buzz online.

La adopción de nuevas tecnologías y prácticas de agricultura regenerativa en el cultivo de papa está permitiendo a los productores reducir hasta un 20% el uso de agroquímicos y avanzar hacia una producción más sostenible.

APM Steam cuts steam losses and downtime in food facilities with expert trap surveys, finding failures, boosting energy efficiency, ensuring safe condensate removal, and giving ROI-backed repair plans for improved operations and compliance.