News on Potato Cultivation

NEPG reports an 11% decline in European ware potato plantings for 2026 as growers cut acreage to rebalance oversupplied markets. The group warns low contract prices and rising production costs threaten farm viability.

Picketa Systems, a Canadian agtech startup, raised an oversubscribed USD 2.1M round led by Tall Grass Ventures to expand its real-time crop nutrient platform (LENS) across North America, helping farmers optimize fertilizer use amid rising prices.

World Potato Congress extended the early bird registration deadline for its 2026 congress in Naivasha to 6 July. The event will feature technical tours, including Farmer Field Day, and bring together global potato industry delegates and farmers.

Europe’s potato sector faces pressure as temperatures exceed 40°C in key growing regions. With crops in critical growth stages, prolonged heat and drought could cut yields, affect quality, and increase irrigation needs, raising supply concerns.

AVR has strengthened its Dutch dealer network by appointing Kamps de Wild Beilen as its official dealer. The company takes over the former Selles Agrotechniek territory, boosting sales, service, parts availability and customer support.

Potato Business School completed its June 15–18 international training course, giving participants practical experience across the potato value chain through presentations, company visits and hands-on sessions.

The invasive serpentine leafminer has been detected in Tasmania for the first time after being found at a commercial grower in the state's north-west. The pest attacks more than 200 plant species, including potatoes, and can reduce crop yields.

Kettle Brand’s Tater Tracker™ lets consumers trace potatoes to the farm where they were grown. By entering a code on the bag, users can meet the farmers and explore regenerative practices, including cover crops and pollinator habitats in action.

Ohalo and Allied Potato form a strategic partnership to advance Boosted potato breeding, combining Ohalo Boosted Breeding platform with Allied Potato expertise to develop higher-yield disease-resistant potatoes and explore potato seed systems.

GB Potatoes and Branston will host a low-carbon farming event in Lincolnshire on 28 July, while GB Potatoes joins Defra’s Expert Growers Group. The industry also awaits updates on UK-EU seed potato trade and the new Farming Roadmap.

The Kurdistan Region of Iraq hosted the Potato Field Day event, organized by Beirut Erbil Company and Nahar Al-Awraad Company. The event highlighted sustainable potato cultivation, seed potato innovation, potato processing and food security.

Potato Demo Day 2026 has opened visitor registration for its September event in Westmaas. The programme includes more than 120 exhibitors, 25 knowledge sessions, machinery demonstrations, a Startup Plaza and activities covering the potato value chain

East African potato farmers face rising costs from late blight. Through the Crop Trust's BOLD project, breeders and farmers are testing potatoes with wild resistance traits to cut spraying, lower costs and improve food security in Kenya and Uganda.

El gobierno de Perú aprobó ley para promover la industrialización de la papa, agregando valor al cultivo mediante derivados, financiamiento, asistencia técnica, sostenibilidad y apertura de nuevos mercados nacionales e internacionales.

Europatat welcomes the EU’s adoption of the NGT Regulation, opening new opportunities for innovative potato varieties with improved disease resistance, climate adaptability, and processing traits, while boosting breeding research and investment.

NOAA has confirmed El Niño, expected to strengthen through 2026–27. The global potato industry is monitoring impacts on yields, disease pressure, processing quality, storage, and supply chains while accelerating climate resilience efforts.

DKHV has launched the first module of its Potato Specialist training program in Hermannsburg, bringing together industry professionals for practical and classroom-based training on potato cultivation, crop protection, field assessment and breeding.

Entre el 1.º y el 5 de junio de 2026, el aumento de la oferta de papa de la zafra seca presionó a la baja los precios mayoristas en Belo Horizonte y São Paulo, mientras Río de Janeiro se mantuvo estable.