News on Potatoes for processing

New Zealand-bred Crop78 is transforming the global french fry industry with high yields, improved disease resistance and better storage performance. Developed over 15 years, the potato is now grown across North America, Europe, Australia and India.

VAVI has appointed Aviko’s Dick Zelhorst as its new chairman, succeeding Stephan van Kuik. He will focus on strengthening the Dutch potato processing industry, sustainability and sector competitiveness.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Banas Dairy's expanded French fries plant at Sanadar, Banaskantha, Gujarat, raising capacity from 2 to 5 tonnes per hour with a ₹51.65 crore investment in India's potato processing.

World Potato Congress 2026 opened in Naivasha, Kenya, bringing together delegates from nearly 70 countries to explore potato research, agricultural innovation, sustainability and global partnerships for food security, nutrition and trade.

The Netherlands will host a dedicated lounge at Global Potato Summit 2026 in Gujarat, India, on December 16–17, connecting Dutch companies with Indian partners to promote cooperation in seed potatoes, processing, storage, and innovation.

Kazakhstan and Belgium have signed a memorandum to develop potato processing, modernise cultivation and attract investment. With the 2026 harvest forecast at 2.8 million tonnes, Kazakhstan aims to expand exports of higher-value potato products.

Europatat welcomes GPK Agrohellas as its first-ever member from Greece. Specialising in certified seed potatoes since 1999, the company supplies Greek growers with varieties for table potatoes, fries and crisps.

Agrico's Michel de Bruin says strong potato sectors need more than quality seed, highlighting the importance of farmer knowledge, functioning markets, enabling regulations and flexible approaches tailored to local conditions.

ICAR-CPRI's Kufri Jyoti, Kufri Bahar, Kufri Pukhraj and Kufri Chipsona-1 together cover nearly 75% of India's potato cultivation area. The varieties have boosted productivity, farmer incomes and the potato processing sector.

McCain is proposing a USD 10.43 per tonne cut in Tasmanian processing potato prices. TasFarmers says grower committee talks have ended ahead of planting, while McCain says conversations with growers are continuing.

Pomuni and Deprez mark a partnership spanning generations. From long-standing cooperation to modern automation, their collaboration supports more efficient logistics, increased productivity and continued innovation at Pomuni’s Ranst facility.

World Potato Congress launches the 'Growing the Future' Youth Engagement & 4K Club Program in Kenya, bringing 40 students from 10 schools together to learn potato production, compete in five categories and build a lasting agricultural legacy.

Most Tasmanian potato growers supplying Simplot have signed new contracts after TasFarmers reported an average 2.5 percent price cut, raising concerns over rising production costs and the long-term sustainability of the sector.

Belgium’s potato crop is shrinking under extreme heat and drought, threatening supplies for its famous fries. Smaller potatoes could tighten availability, raise costs and push up prices across the country’s € frozen fries industry.

WPC 2026 preparations are accelerating in Kenya, with the Farmers Field Day at FreshCrop taking shape alongside new speakers, partners and international registrations ahead of the global potato Congress in Naivasha.

Calbee Potato expects Hokkaido’s 2026 processing potato crop to reach 240,000–250,000 tons, with better quality and yields than 2025. Favorable temperatures and rainfall have boosted growth, although heavy rain remains a major harvest risk now.

In Europe, the industrial potato harvest could fall below 40 million tonnes in 2026 due to reduced plantings, heat and drought, while tighter supply and rising exports are already pushing processing potato prices higher.

Simplot and Tasmanian potato growers remain at odds over prices and supply terms, with growers also concerned about contract cuts and a planned 30,000-tonne reduction in potato volumes through the Ulverstone processing plant.