News on The Potato Supply Chain from the United States

Agristo, a leading Belgian potato processor with six global branches, will invest USD 450M in its first North American facility in Grand Forks. Construction starts 2026, with production set for fall 2028.

Strategic partnership between Oxbo and Allan Equipment. Enhanced product portfolio to meet the demand of potato growers. Complementary strengths leveraging Allan’s technical innovation with Oxbo’s network.

The Potato Leadership, Education, and Advancement Foundation (Potato LEAF) is proud to announce Hannah Johnson, a Ph.D. candidate at Washington State University, as the recipient of the organization's 2025-26 academic scholarship. 

NPC invites proposals for Potato Expo 2026 sessions on innovation, tech, trends & collaboration. Formats: 20–40 min talks or panels. Submit by Sept 12; notifications by Oct 10. Topics: production, trade, tech, research, policy & more.

Wisconsin red and yellow potato harvest is underway at Alsum Farms in Adams, Wis. with the first potato loads being washed, graded, and packed for fresh market delivery to distribution centers and retail grocers.

Gov. Mills and UMaine leaders reopened the modernized Aroostook Farm after a USD 3 Million upgrade, boosting Maine’s potato research with advanced tech to speed new variety development like the Caribou Russet, supporting jobs and the agri-economy.

After years of effort, the USDA has officially deregulated a 120-acre field near Shelley, Idaho, from the state's pale cyst nematode (PCN) quarantine program, marking a major milestone in the fight against this potato pest.

Lawmakers toured Aroostook County to explore Maine’s potato industry, seeing innovative tech and learning how policy affects farming. The trip aimed to boost understanding of agricultural challenges and support.

Joseph Ifeanyi Ulasi leads a groundbreaking project to boost late blight resistance in diploid potatoes by introgressing novel Rpi genes from wild species. Using Solanum verrucosum as a genetic bridge, he advances resilient breeding for future crops.

Simplot plans to acquire Belgium-based Clarebout Potatoes, uniting two family-owned frozen potato leaders. The move aims to boost European market presence and sustainability, with operations continuing and expanding across 23 global sites.

Texas A&M AgriLife Research, the Texas A&M Potato Breeding Program, Barrett Potato Farms and Springlake Potatoes Inc. will host the annual Texas Potato Field Day on July 16 in Springlake.

Robots in potato farming help ease labor shortages, cut costs, and boost yields by automating tasks like planting and harvesting. Paired with smart tools like crop monitoring, they improve efficiency, reduce waste, and support sustainable farming.

United States potato exports fell 4% in volume and 1% in value (July 2024–March 2025), mainly due to lower dehydrated and chip exports. Frozen, fresh, and seed exports rose, with strong gains in Japan, Taiwan, and Guatemala despite China-India competition.

Si bien las exportaciones de semilla aumentaron mucho entre 2024 y 2025, el resultado de los negocios no fue bueno en todos los destinos. En el caso de Uruguay, la presencia del virus PVY fue altísima.

United States seed potato exports grew strongly in the Americas, with new markets in Panama, Nicaragua, and Uruguay. Potatoes USA trials expand reach in Cuba, Honduras, and the Caribbean, while new export opportunities emerge in West Africa.

With a focus on Making Fries and Making Strides, Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. issued its annual Global Sustainability Report, providing updates on the company’s performance against key sustainability and people initiatives during its fiscal year 2024.

Alsum Farms & Produce awarded USD 10,000 in scholarships to 10 Wisconsin high school seniors for academic, agricultural, and community excellence. The program supports future ag leaders.

Tariff pressures and rising costs are reshaping consumer perceptions in the potato snack market. Brands must monitor sentiment closely, act swiftly on price-to-value concerns, and adapt strategies to protect loyalty in this highly sensitive category.