News on The Potato Supply Chain from Europe

Potatoes in Practice, the UK’s biggest field potato event, is on 7 August at Balruddery Farm. Hosted by James Hutton Institute, it brings growers, researchers, and industry leaders together to share innovations and advance the potato sector.

UPL Corp and CERSA at NC State University hosted the Global Mancozeb Summit at Rothamsted Research, UK, gathering global experts to discuss mancozeb’s vital role in crop protection as the EU prepares to review its regulatory status.

The 2025 Fight Against Blight campaign begins with new tools to track late blight in UK potatoes, warning of evolving fungicide resistance and urging growers to stay vigilant.

Europatat held its annual General Assembly meeting June 12 in Lille (France). Members have elected a new Board to lead the association for the coming year and welcome Francisco Moya as Treasurer.

El gobierno ha emitido una alerta por presencia de mildii (phytophtpra infestans) en varias parcelas de la región. Se recomienda cautela y prevención para controlar la situación.

Se propone establecer un precio mínimo para el productor que no pueda estar debajo de 1,05 euros, una disposición que se podría introducir en la ley de la cadena alimentaria

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. 

Polysense, a Belgian technology start-up, raised EUR 2 million (USD 2.3 million) from tech entrepreneurs to further disrupt the food industry. The company specialises in AI solutions for production processes to reduce waste and increase efficiency. 

El proyecto supone aprovechar los residuos de los procesos de industrialización de patata y darle así un giro sustentable a la cadena de valor.

At PotatoEurope 2025, fifteen top companies will showcase trials on potato cultivation, with 309 exhibitors and 15,000 visitors expected. The event highlights innovation, demos, and global networking across the potato value chain.

DormFresh and TASC International opened a EUR 600,000 Trial and Research Center in Rosche, Germany, to develop sustainable potato storage solutions post-CIPC ban. The facility supports EU trials, focusing on eco-friendly sprout inhibition methods.

Aumento en el área sembrada, expectativas poco realistas, tensiones comerciales y aumento en los costos. Todos estos factores combinados han hecho a una situación histórica, y no en el buen sentido.

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

By mid-March, Hans Huistra, CEO of the Royal HZPC Group, had done a good deal of driving on Dutch highways. He rushed from meeting to meeting, sharing the good news that last season's average prices will be historically high with affiliated seed potato growers.

The potato is a vital global food, praised for its versatility and nutrition. FAO named May 30 'International Day of the Potato,' with 2024’s theme, 'Shaping history, feeding the future,' stressing the need for innovation to keep it relevant.

Intrac Geosystems enhances farming with ISOBUS planting systems and electric drones for spraying, seeding, and fertilizing. The solutions improve efficiency, cut costs, and support crops like potatoes, even in adverse conditions like those in Galicia

In celebration of International Day of Potato, DKHV & UNIKA launch a LinkedIn series on May 24, 2025, showcasing the potato’s global impact on food, culture, and innovation—plus a postcard campaign for key decision-makers. #PotatoCosmosCulture