Potato News from United Kingdom

More than 65 skilled workers are being sought by leading potato supplier Branston for its Lincolnshire site, as a result of its successful expansion plans. 

GB Potatoes has joined HCP to secure vital crop protection authorisations for the UK seed potato sector, using AHDB levy funds. A new technical group will prioritise needs, ensuring sustainable, high-quality seed and ware potato production.

Scientists, led by Dr Rob Hancock, Deputy Director of the Hutton’s Advanced Plant Growth Centre, have been working as part of a European consortium to develop tools for the development of multi-stress tolerant potatoes

PACE Mechanical Handling and JT Hopkins & Sons are celebrating 30 years of working together after installing a state-of-the-art potato packing line. The two companies first collaborated in 1995.

Join the James Hutton Institute's webinar on May 30, International Day of Potato, to explore UK potato production challenges and innovations in breeding, sustainability, AI tools, and pest control. Hosted by NPIC and Professor Ingo Hein.

KMC has partnered with UK-based Daymer Ingredients to expand its potato-based solutions in the UK. The collaboration focuses on clean label starches and aims to support sustainable, plant-based innovations for food manufacturers.

The British Potato Industry Awards takes place on the first night of the British Potato Industry Show (November 19, 2025), held every two years at Yorkshire Event Centre, Harrogate, UK.

Wellhill Farm, a fourth-generation family business on Scotland’s Moray Coast, has partnered with Dutch company Flikweert Vision to modernize its seed potato sorting process.

GB Potatoes funds the FAB project for 3 years, boosting UK efforts to monitor and combat potato late blight. Led by James Hutton Institute, FAB provides vital real-time insights on blight strains and resistance, strengthening sector resilience.

Albert Bartlett’s £3 million ad campaign celebrates the Jersey Royal season, highlighting traditional farming, real farmers, and the crop’s heritage. The feel-good ad features chef Michel Roux and a Bellamy Brothers soundtrack, launching in May.

As GRAY Farms hosted a showcase of cutting-edge post-harvest technology, potato farmers and agricultural innovators gathered in Portsoy, Scotland. Organised by Agropack Solutions Ltd, a leader in agricultural solutions.

CRMG urges UK potato growers to submit CIPC residue test data from 2024/25 storage to support the temporary MRL. Just one test per store is needed. Submit by 31 May to help protect the UK’s potato storage future.

The 2025 Hutchinsons Potato Trials Results Day at Worth Farms, Lincolnshire, showcased key field trials and research to help tackle major potato industry challenges, including PCN, herbicide safety, wireworm, catch crops, blight, and Alternaria.

Fera Science’s Enigma I project is advancing to its second phase, focusing on sustainable wireworm control. Agri-food organizations are invited to join as co-funding partners for tailored research and practical solutions.

Heat and Control®, a world-leading manufacturer of food industry equipment, has announced the acquisition of Tek-Dry Systems Ltd. and Hunt Heat Exchangers, two leading providers of thermal processing and heat transfer equipment.

Biofresh Safestore will celebrate its 21st anniversary at Strategic Potato Storage Day on May 21st, offering a 10% installation discount. The event will highlight potato sprout control technology and recent advancements in energy management.

Burgess Farms' new Haith potato wash line, installed in October, has boosted throughput, optical sorting, and efficiency at Sutton Bridge. The investment enhances quality, flexibility, and sustainability, supporting the farm’s growth.

Emerald Research Ltd (ERL) and a leading potato grower in South West England have won an eighteen-month Innovate UK project to tackle the ever-growing problem of wireworm damage in potatoes.