News on Food Trends

Cavendish Farms is launching a sustainability project on Prince Edward Island to help potato growers adopt eco-friendly practices, focusing on water use, pest control, and soil health. A farm advisory group will guide research and share results with local farmers.

Goodrich Cereals showcases its innovative frozen fries, potato appetizers, flakes, and dehydrated veggies at JFEX 2025, Tokyo (Booth 3-21), highlighting quality, flavor, and sustainability to expand in Japan’s premium food market.

ChainCraft will build its first full-scale plant in the Netherlands, using residual potato juice from a nearby starch processing plant to produce circular fatty acids, creating even more value from the potato in a sustainable way.

Chad Hutchinson of TriCal Group joins the World Potato Congress Inc. Board as a Director. A global expert in potato research and soil health, he brings decades of experience supporting growers and advancing crop production worldwide.

Europatat held its annual General Assembly meeting June 12 in Lille (France). Members have elected a new Board to lead the association for the coming year and welcome Francisco Moya as Treasurer.

Lamb Weston opened a new factory in Kruiningen, Netherlands, focused on sustainability. The facility reuses water and heat throughout production, making the process more efficient and eco-friendly while delivering high-quality frozen fries.

United States potato exports fell 4% in volume and 1% in value (July 2024–March 2025), mainly due to lower dehydrated and chip exports. Frozen, fresh, and seed exports rose, with strong gains in Japan, Taiwan, and Guatemala despite China-India competition.

WPC Inc. announces leadership changes: Nora Olsen, Jang Sangha, and Martin Acosta retire, with Greg Donald named Vice President and Brian Douglas appointed Treasurer as preparations begin for the 2026 Congress in Kenya.

Dr. Neeraj Sharma has been appointed as CIP's Country Manager for India, effective June 9, 2025. A veteran in potato R&D, he will lead strategy, partnerships, and operations to boost sustainable agriculture and food security in India.

P.E.I. launches a buy-back program for potato wart index fields to combat the fungal disease. It aids farmers, protects land, and boosts trade, with over USD 40M spent since 2021 on wart control efforts.

With a focus on Making Fries and Making Strides, Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. issued its annual Global Sustainability Report, providing updates on the company’s performance against key sustainability and people initiatives during its fiscal year 2024.

Polysense, a Belgian technology start-up, raised EUR 2 million (USD 2.3 million) from tech entrepreneurs to further disrupt the food industry. The company specialises in AI solutions for production processes to reduce waste and increase efficiency. 

El proyecto supone aprovechar los residuos de los procesos de industrialización de patata y darle así un giro sustentable a la cadena de valor.

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.

DormFresh and TASC International opened a EUR 600,000 Trial and Research Center in Rosche, Germany, to develop sustainable potato storage solutions post-CIPC ban. The facility supports EU trials, focusing on eco-friendly sprout inhibition methods.

Alsum Farms & Produce awarded USD 10,000 in scholarships to 10 Wisconsin high school seniors for academic, agricultural, and community excellence. The program supports future ag leaders.

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.

In recognition of World Food Safety Day on June 7, TNA Solutions has presented a timely expert blog titled “Engineering Better Food Safety” by Steve Burgess, General Manager – Europe & Africa at TNA Solutions.