News on The Potato Supply Chain

Quintera has demonstrated high yields, stable processing quality and resilience under warm, dry conditions after four years of commercial cultivation, making it a strong processing potato variety for irrigated light sandy soils.

Mousline faced a difficult 2025 with lower sales, crop problems, and lost contracts. The French brand is investing €14 million (USD 16.2 million), expanding exports, innovating products, and launching plant-based spreads to drive recovery.

Lam Dong, Viet Nam, approved the export of 27,952 potato seeds from 23 breeding lines to India for research. The shipment by the Potato, Vegetable and Flower Research Center supports breeding, variety testing, and potato innovation.

Global warming is accelerating, threatening potato production through heat, drought, pests, and storage challenges. Climate-smart farming, resilient varieties, and improved irrigation are essential to protect future yields and quality.

Washington potato exports have dropped about 10% as China expands production and exports across Pacific Rim markets. Industry leaders say China's lower costs and investment in potato research are increasing pressure on U.S. growers.

Researchers in Prince Edward Island are testing cattle grazing before potato planting to improve soil health, reduce costs and support sustainable farming. Early results show no yield loss or higher emissions as researchers study long-term benefits.

El cierre de pasos fronterizos entre Argentina y Chile por nieve está provocando demoras logísticas, camiones varados y mayores costos, afectando especialmente las exportaciones chilenas de semilla de papa hacia Uruguay y Brasil.

Condiciones climáticas desfavorables para la oferta condicionan el precio de la papa en los mercados que se dispara más de un 50% en apenas una semana.

Productores de Ybytymí y General Bernardino Caballero denuncian que la reducción de la provisión de semillas del MAG dejará fuera de la siembra a más de 400 agricultores y reducirá el área de cultivo de papa en el departamento.

China has introduced new phytosanitary measures to prevent the entry of Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (CLso), suspending seed potato import approvals from affected countries and tightening import requirements for planting materials.

British Potato Confex 2026 will take place on 18–19 November at Lincolnshire Showground, bringing together growers, suppliers, processors and industry experts for seminars, networking and exhibitions. Free visitor registration is now open.

United States lawmakers have introduced the 'Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act of 2026,' a bill backed by the National Potato Council to modernize the H-2A program, address labor shortages and improve workforce stability for agriculture.

PotatoNL reported another sharp rise in potato quotations as drought across Europe slowed early potato growth. Strong demand from processors and uncertainty over the new harvest continued to support higher prices.

La cosecha en Salamanca, pese a la buena calidad de las patatas, se perfila con malas perspectivas frente a un mercado deprimido donde los precios no cubren los costos de producción y la demanda flaquea.

Met Éireann has issued a potato blight advisory for parts of Ireland, warning that humid weather could favour the spread of Phytophthora infestans. The advisory also highlights limited spraying opportunities and varying soil moisture deficits

The Potato Association of America (PAA) concluded its 110th Annual Meeting in New Orleans with the installation of its 2026-2027 Board of Directors, recognition of Honorary Life Members and the announcement of the 2027 meeting in Minneapolis.

North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission and Rootsii are developing a first-of-its-kind sweetpotato milk from surplus crops. Backed by USD 1.82 million funding, the sustainable dairy alternative aims to reduce waste and create new markets for growers.

Natural Storage Solutions Pvt. Ltd. has signed an MoU with the Republic of Ghana to support agricultural development through food processing technologies and post-harvest infrastructure, with the aim of reducing losses and improving food security.