News on The Potato Supply Chain from United Kingdom

Hutton Scientific Services launched a commercial potato virus testing service for the 2026 United Kingdom seed potato campaign. The new service offers PLRV and PVY testing following SASA's withdrawal, supporting crop health and market confidence.

McCain Foods has on boarded 69% of its potato acreage to its regenerative agriculture framework. Through grower partnerships, COVALO, Routes to Regen and OP2B, the company aims to transition 100% of its potato acreage to regenerative farming by 2030.

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.

Greenvale’s Golden Kings potatoes are back in Sainsbury’s stores from 3 June 2026. Known for their buttery flavour, golden colour and consistent quality, the brand is attracting younger shoppers and boosting growth in the potato category.

UK potato farmers face rising costs, weak prices, labour shortages and climate shocks after years of disruption. Profitability is under pressure, risking sector decline. Innovation, policy support and collaboration are key to future resilience.

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.

Co-op has introduced new 'best of season' potato packs across its stores, becoming the first United Kingdom convenience retailer to adopt a seasonal variety approach designed to support British potato growers and maintain year-round domestic supply.

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.

Lincolnshire, the county that helped feed Britain during wartime, is back in focus as concerns grow over how much of its own food the United Kingdom can produce. The county will host a major new national farming event later this year.

GB Potatoes recently discussed risk in its Cutting the odds: Managing risk in potato production webinar. It heard from GB Potatoes chair Alex Godfrey, the CEO and President of Potatoes USA, Blair Richardson and Rory Gibson.

A first-of-its-kind low carbon concept farm in Lincolnshire has successfully grown its first crop of highly sustainable potatoes that will land in UK stores this week, thanks to a partnership between retailer Tesco and industry leader Branston.

Branston South West GM Jonathan Taylor will retire in March 2026 after nearly a decade leading major growth and £9m upgrades at Ilminster. Simon Jones, a long-serving operations leader, takes over to drive capacity, sustainability and innovation.

Albert Bartlett partners with Kate Hardcastle MBE to revive Britain’s love of potatoes. Their ‘Make Mealtimes Matter’ campaign promotes spuds as affordable, nutritious staples amid rising living costs.

Latest potato free-buy prices have fallen to less than half their level a year ago, with Potato Call quoting the best Maris Piper at GBP 180 per tonne compared with GBP 400 per tonne for similar potatoes last season.

92% of farmers say their sustainability efforts go unrecognised, despite adopting an average of eight eco-friendly practices. While 85% would do more with financial support, low trust in government and policy confusion remain key barriers.

Royal HZPC Group has finalized the acquisition of IPM Potato Group, following the initial announcement made in October 2025. With all required conditions now fulfilled, IPM officially becomes part of Royal HZPC Group.

McCain Foods, the UK largest manufacturer of prepared potato products, has announced plans to launch a new Farm of the Future in North Yorkshire, home of McCain GB headquarters for more than 50 years.

The UK has officially eradicated the Colorado Beetle following two years of intensive surveillance and biosecurity activity. The pest was detected in Kent in July 2023, with one further finding later that year.