Potato News

PAU Ludhiana has released four potato varieties—PP-101, PP-102, PP-103 and PP-104. Yields range from 142–184 quintals/acre, with PP-103 offering early harvest and PP-104 moderate late-blight resistance. Seed is now available.

Eagle Eye Produce has completed a new red and yellow potato packing facility in Idaho Falls, adding automation and AI-powered optical grading to improve efficiency, quality and flexibility while supporting program growth.

Covered Bridge is expanding in Japan after Costco Japan ordered 12 containers of its potato chips, with eight shipped by late September 2026, following an agreement that made Japan its tenth international market.

Idaho’s 2026 potato harvest is showing solid quality but lower yields, with frost, heat, warm nights and wildfire smoke affecting production. Planted area fell to 298,915 acres as growers report smaller crops.

Uglies® Sweet Potato Chips won two 2026 industry awards. Its Hot Honey flavor received a Best New Product Award, while its Original, Hot Honey and Spicy BBQ varieties earned Double Gold for taste and packaging.

Tys van Elk has started as General Manager of Sormac in Venlo. He will work with colleagues, customers and partners to build the future of the family-owned fruit and vegetable processing equipment manufacturer.

Ellips will showcase four AI-powered potato and onion grading solutions at the Global Produce & Floral Show 2026 in Orlando, highlighting automation, labor savings, defect detection, higher throughput, CombiGrader and CleanFlow Pre-Sorter.

Foodera Technologies is expanding its presence in India with a new office in Ahmedabad's GIFT City, strengthening local service, spare parts, training and technical support while bringing together Kiremko and Tummers expertise.

McCain is proposing a USD 10.43 per tonne cut in Tasmanian processing potato prices. TasFarmers says grower committee talks have ended ahead of planting, while McCain says conversations with growers are continuing.

India and Tajikistan are exploring cooperation in potato research, quality seed production and aeroponics technology, with proposed CPRI Shimla visits and training to boost agricultural knowledge and technology exchange.

The FAO Food Price Index averaged 136.0 points in September 2026, up 2.0 points (1.5 percent) from its revised August level. Price indices for crop-based commodity groups (cereals, vegetable oils, and sugar) all increased from the previous month

FAM STUMABO updated the feeding system of the SureTec 240P to process potatoes and sweet potatoes up to 200 mm in diameter, improve product orientation, maximize french fry length, and simplify machine setup.

Deprez will present its interactive 'The Factory of the Future' concept at Fruit Attraction 2026 in Madrid and Interpom 2026 in Kortrijk, demonstrating integrated product handling, automation and optimized product flow from receiving to storage and processing.

McCain Foods has opened its first Signature Café in India at Max Mall in Noida, featuring its potato specialities across burgers, loaded fries and other formats, with plans to explore the concept at additional locations.

Deprez has partnered with Exeter Engineering to strengthen its presence in North America. The collaboration will focus on providing automated solutions to improve product flow, storage and handling for citrus processors and packers.

Lamb Weston has appointed Sean M. Krajnik as Vice President of Manufacturing. He will oversee several U.S. production facilities, bringing more than 25 years of experience in plant operations, operational excellence, and people development.

HZPC France has begun construction of a new greenhouse in Ruisseauville to produce up to 2 million mini potato tubers, supporting greater production autonomy, improved quality and faster marketing capacity in France.

Pomuni and Deprez mark a partnership spanning generations. From long-standing cooperation to modern automation, their collaboration supports more efficient logistics, increased productivity and continued innovation at Pomuni’s Ranst facility.