News on Potato Cultivation from Europe

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.

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

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.

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.

On May 30, the International Day of the Potato was celebrated worldwide, highlighting the potato’s role in food security, sustainability, economic development and culinary diversity beyond its importance as a staple food.

La campaña de patata en Andalucía avanza con menos superficie sembrada pero mejores perspectivas de rendimiento, en medio de la presión de las importaciones de patata vieja francesa, el riesgo de solapamiento entre cosechas nacionales y un fuerte aumento de los costos de producción.

The European Commission launched a Fertiliser Action Plan to support farmers, strengthen EU fertiliser production, reduce import dependency, boost food security, and accelerate sustainable, bio-based solutions.

Galicia enfrenta una campaña de patata muy complicada, con una caída estimada del 25% por el impacto de las lluvias e inundaciones, en medio de mayores importaciones, precios en origen deprimidos y costos de producción en alza.

Potatoes in Practice 2026 returns on August 13 at Balruddery Farm near Dundee with SPOT robotic dog demos, live cooking by Sarah Rankin, field trials and seminars.

FAO announced International Day of Potato 2026 theme 'Where potatoes grow, livelihoods flourish', highlighting role of potatoes in food security and farmer livelihoods. Focus on smallholders, resilient value chains, climate and pest challenges.

Royal HZPC Group CEO Hans Huistra joined Narendra Modi and top Dutch CEOs in The Hague to strengthen India–Netherlands cooperation, reinforcing HZPC’s growing strategic presence in India.

Europatat welcomes MEDIPO AGRAS H.B. spol. s r.o., a Czech potato specialist with 30+ years of expertise in seed, ware and processing potatoes, offering over 100 potato varieties across Europe.

Los productores advierten sobre una drástica reducción en la superficie cultivada, la pérdida del mercado europeo y la inclinación de algunos sectores por optar por la patata francesa almacenada.

Pese a la sobre oferta palpable en los mercados de consumo, los precios de los contratos futuros se disparan ante la incertidumbre por la guerra en el medio oriente y la ecuación de costos asociados.

PotatoEurope 2026 will return to Germany on September 9-10, 2026, at the Rittergut Gestorf estate near Hanover, showcasing the latest technology and innovations in potato cultivation and processing.

KTH researchers developed peptide CS5 targeting Phytophthora infestans, cause of potato late blight. It blocks a key enzyme, stopping infection without harming crops and offering a sustainable alternative to chemical sprays as climate change spreads.

Potatoes in Practice 2026, Scotland's largest field-based potato event, will take place on Thursday, August 13, at The James Hutton Institute's Balruddery Farm in Invergowrie, near Dundee.

Las bajas cotizaciones y las lluvias invernales llevaron a muchos productores a no cosechar sus patatas y a enterrar una producción cuyo costo de recolección superaba el valor de mercado.