News on Potato Varieties and Seed from Europe

PotatoEurope 2025, set for 3–4 Sept in Lelystad, Netherlands, showcases live machinery demos, smart agri-tech, and innovations in potato farming. With 300+ exhibitors and 15,000 visitors, it’s the premier hub to innovate, network, and grow.

In 2025, over 83 thousand hectares of ware potatoes will be grown in The Netherlands. This is 8.6 percent more than last year. The last time the cultivation area of ​​ware potatoes exceeded 80 thousand hectares was in 2000.

Europatat Congress 2025 in Lille brought together Europe’s potato leaders to tackle challenges like climate change, shifting consumption, and global trade. With optimism, speakers stressed innovation, sustainability, and adapting to consumer demands.

Groupe Florimond Desprez (GFD) acquired DLF’s 49% stake in Danespo A/S, becoming majority owner. The move strengthens GFD’s seed potato business, aligning Danespo and Germicopa under shared leadership and future investments.

Se trata de un cultivo que puede rastrear su origen genético ininterrumpido al Peru del siglo XVII. Hoy, debido a las inclemencias del tiempo y la desprotección económica, su continuidad se encuentra en jaque.

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.

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.

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 feeds over a billion people but faces disease and limited diversity. Investing in research, breeding, and farmer support is vital to improve resilience and productivity, ensuring it remains a key staple for global food security.

Around the world, celebrations are well underway for the 2nd International Day of the Potato, Friday, May 30th. Launched by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and themed 'Shaping History, Feeding the Future'

Join the James Hutton Institute's webinar on May 30, International Day of Potato, to explore UK potato production challenges and innovations in breeding, sustainability, AI tools, and pest control. Hosted by NPIC and Professor Ingo Hein.

A pesar del aumento progresivo de la superficie cultivada, los mayores desafíos siguen siendo las amenazas climáticas y la falta de relevo generacional en el sector.

Wellhill Farm, a fourth-generation family business on Scotland’s Moray Coast, has partnered with Dutch company Flikweert Vision to modernize its seed potato sorting process.

El futuro de la innovación en el sector no pasa solamente por el desarrollo de nuevas industrias de procesamiento, sino también por una nueva forma de pensar lo más elemental.

El II Encuentro Agroprofesional de la Patata ha reunido a más de un centenar de agricultores y técnicos para debatir sobre el estado actual del cultivo, las amenazas sanitarias y los retos de la sostenibilidad agraria.

Albert Bartlett’s £3 million ad campaign celebrates the Jersey Royal season, highlighting traditional farming, real farmers, and the crop’s heritage. The feel-good ad features chef Michel Roux and a Bellamy Brothers soundtrack, launching in May.