News on The Potato Supply Chain

The Dutch Potato Organisation celebrated Potato Tuesday on October 6 at Utrecht Central Station during the Week of Our Food. Visitors can enjoy free recipe booklets and discover the people behind the Dutch potato industry.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

PepsiCo will invest USD 1 billion in Colombia over five years to expand production and distribution, an investment that could strengthen its potato supply chain, where it is already the country’s largest industrial buyer at around 84,000 tonnes per year.

Japan is advancing quarantine consultations on fresh potatoes from the United States for general distribution, with authorities assessing pest risks and potential management measures before deciding whether broader market access can be granted.

Croptimal has launched the tractor-mounted Croptiscan 3000, using camera and recognition technology to detect PVY and leaf roll early in seed potato crops, providing smaller growers with an alternative to fully self-driving machines.

World Potato Congress launches the 'Growing the Future' Youth Engagement & 4K Club Program in Kenya, bringing 40 students from 10 schools together to learn potato production, compete in five categories and build a lasting agricultural legacy.

Industry forecasts indicate extreme heat and drought could cut potato production by more than 3.5 million tonnes across Great Britain and NEPG countries in 2026, with losses valued at up to EUR 818 million (USD 937.4 million).

PotatoEurope 2026 and SugarBeet Expo opened in Germany, showcasing innovations for climate-resilient root-crop production. DLG President Paetow highlighted drought, pests, global markets and the need for competitive, sustainable farming systems.

Uttar Pradesh plans a dedicated potato export facility at Noida International Airport in Jewar, along with a 50-acre Agri Export Hub featuring processing, packaging and gamma-radiation treatment facilities.

El Niño has reached a record 3.05°C, surpassing the 2015 high. Scientists warn the powerful event could worsen heatwaves, droughts, floods, wildfires and food insecurity as global temperatures continue to rise.

Global Potato Summit 2026, 16–17 Dec in Gandhinagar, brings the global potato industry together for exhibition, conference, networking, awards and farm/factory visits, creating opportunities for business, technology, partnerships and new markets.

Most Tasmanian potato growers supplying Simplot have signed new contracts after TasFarmers reported an average 2.5 percent price cut, raising concerns over rising production costs and the long-term sustainability of the sector.