Potato News from Europe

PotatoEurope 2025 takes place 3–4 Sept. at WUR Lelystad with 300+ exhibitors & visitors from 119 countries. Highlights: trial harvests, ICM & market conferences, live demos from harvest to sorting, and innovation test fields.

Branston potato growers gathered in Lincolnshire to explore new varieties, including a nutty salad potato and Inca Rosa, aimed at supermarkets by 2026. The field walk showcased trials, yields, and innovations, with Tesco also backing the development.

Haith, a UK-based manufacturer of vegetable handling systems, will attend Potato Europe 2025 with its European representative, SWP Machinery. The company will present the 2026 Rota-Tip TE (top eject) at stand VD10.

Potato growers are urged to watch for the Colorado beetle, a pest threatening UK crops. Spot yellow-cream beetles with black stripes or red larvae. Report sightings with photos to APHA or the Scottish Government to protect biosecurity.

Last week marked the start of the 2025 potato starch campaign at Aebe. Over the coming months, potatoes will be delivered six days a week to Royal Avebe’s factories

Investindustrial will acquire Kiremko, Idaho Steel, and Reyco, leading potato processing equipment makers. The deal unites 3 family-owned firms into a global platform, aiming for growth via integration, innovation, and expansion.

Following the successful introduction of the Spirit 9200i in 2024, AVR is now launching the Spirit 9200i VW: all the strengths of AVR’s most recent trailed harvester, completed with the patented Varioweb cleaning system.

Los agricultores del Campo de Cartagena enfrentan precios de 10 a 15 céntimos por kilo, muy por debajo de los costes de producción, lo que amenaza la viabilidad del cultivo de papa.

Following the recent announcement of CêlaVíta's bankruptcy, several companies have expressed interest in acquiring the Dutch producer of chilled potatoes. This raises cautious hopes for a possible restart, according to bankruptcy trustee Frans Aartsen.

LOMA Systems will showcase its latest inspection technologies and online training at PPMA Total 2025, NEC, from 23–25 September. The UK debuts include the X5DE Space Saver X-ray and IQ4M RUN-WET® metal detector at stand E14.

Seed potato areas in Western Europe reached 106,864 ha in 2025, up 9,297 ha (+9.53%) from 2024. Netherlands, France and Germany account for 80%. Growth is led by processing and export varieties, confirming their strategic role.

Potato Professionals in the United Kingdom gathered for the annual Potatoes in Practice (PiP)event, hosted by the National Potato Innovation Centre (NPIC), in partnership with SRUC and Agrii, at The James Hutton Institute’s Baldruddery Farm.

AVR offers a complete range of equipment for potato growers – including cultivators, planters, ridgers, toppers, trailed and self-propelled harvesters, and in-store handling solutions.

“Potato Agro” is building a plant in Cherkasy region to process 150–180K tons of potatoes yearly into fries and flour. The facility is under construction, with a flour line set to launch in early 2026, says director Olga Lonska.

Producing clear-coated French fries or other potato products with heavy coatings is challenging. Rosenqvists Food Technologies has refined its coating systems to help clients achieve longer runs, less waste, and easier cleaning.

Agricultor 'regaló' 50 toneladas de patatas. El caso expuso tensiones con la empresa McCain, y refleja el creciente malestar de los productores y la incertidumbre sobre el futuro agrícola.

Tolsma-Grisnich has moved to new sustainable premises at Cavalier 3, Emmeloord, uniting production, logistics & offices. The modern facility boosts efficiency & innovation. Official opening: 5 Sept for business relations, 6 Sept for the public.

Rosenqvists Food Technologies wins Krinova’s Innovation Award 2025 for combining tradition and innovation to drive sustainability, local growth, and Sweden’s global standing. Award received at Kristianstad’s Guldjubel gala by Stefan Björk & Anders Olsson.