News on Research

Jared Balcom, a fourth-generation potato grower from Pasco, Washington, has been named the 2026 Potato Person of the Year in recognition of his long-standing leadership and advocacy on behalf of the United States potato industry.

The European Potato Processors’ Association (EUPPA) published its latest Facts and Figures for 2025, underlining the scale, economic impact and global trade reach of Europe’s potato processing industry.

The Potato Sustainability Alliance (PSA) has announced updates to its Board of Directors and Executive Committee, including the election of new leadership and the retirement of several long-serving directors. 

The European Snacks Association (ESA) has released its annual report outlining the association’s advocacy work, policy engagement, working group activities and key events during the year.

Potato Expo in Dallas brings growers, suppliers and industry leaders together. NPC CEO Kam Quarles says the event is a must-attend opportunity to reconnect the potato community, spark new ideas and help shape the future of the industry.

IFA President Francie Gorman told the 71st IFA AGM that opposition to the Mercosur trade deal, securing a strong CAP budget and tackling rising costs will dominate IFA’s 2026 agenda, warning of food safety risks and pressure on farm incomes EU.

SINOBAKE, based in Shunde, Foshan, China, delivers customized biscuit, cookie, and potato chips production lines. With 30+ years of experience, its OEM/ODM solutions ensure efficient, food-safe, and scalable manufacturing worldwide.

Jason O’Leary, a potato grower from Blackwater, Co. Wexford, has been elected Chair of the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) Potato Committee, which represents potato growers within Ireland’s largest farming organisation.

Embrapa has introduced the BRS F21 potato cultivar to meet the needs of growers and the processing industry. The variety combines high yield potential, disease resistance and strong frying performance, particularly for chips and shoestring potatoes.

Germany’s potato industry calls for urgent research and coordinated measures against the spreading reed glasswinged leafhopper to protect cultivation, jobs, and regional economic strength.

Scientists decoded a haplotype-resolved potato genome and GWAS of 141 accessions, identifying StTST2, a tonoplast sugar transporter. StTST2 boosts photosynthesis, sugar accumulation, source–sink transport, and tuber yield via interaction with SUT2.

SNAC International announced keynotes for SNX 2026: Circana EVP Sally Lyons Wyatt opens with data-driven snack category insights, and Sprinkles founder Candace Nelson closes with a fireside chat on entrepreneurship. Early rates end Jan 17 Apply.

Fruit Logistica 2026 (4–6 Feb, Berlin) brings the global fresh fruit industry together with six expert stages, 200 speakers and multilingual talks, covering markets, farming, technology, logistics and future innovation.

Scientists in Pakistan’s most populous Punjab province have developed a potato variety capable of withstanding smoggy conditions, as authorities seek to protect the crop from the growing impact of air pollution, state media reported this week.

Cruces genéticos entre variedades colombianas y peruanas permitieron desarrollar una variedad que mantiene calidad y duplica su periodo de reposo, retrasando la brotación hasta 48 días.

Global Potato Summit 2025 opened at IEML, Greater Noida, uniting global experts, policymakers and industry leaders. The event highlighted India’s growing leadership in potato innovation, sustainability, processing, exports and value-chain growth.

Ecuador se encuentra próximo a presentar dos nuevas variedades de papa, especialmente adaptadas a su contexto productivo, con un gran potencial para la industria de chips.

In a major addition to its agri-infrastructure portfolio, NBCC India Ltd has received a project valued at INR 42.37 crore (USD 5.08 million) from the National Horticulture Board for the development of the proposed International Potato Centre in Agra.