News on The Potato Supply Chain

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. 

En Chile, el Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería (MAG) lanzó un plan piloto de trazabilidad agrícola para papa y cebolla con apoyo de OIRSA, mientras el sector papero enfrenta la llamada “paradoja de las papas”, donde altos rendimientos generan sobreoferta y caída de precios.

Solynta, a leader in hybrid potato breeding, secured major growth funding as EW Group acquired a majority stake. The investment will speed its goal to double global potato yields while halving crop protection use and reducing land needs worldwide.

India is emerging as a frozen fries exporter. US imports rose over 350% year-on-year, China paid premium prices, while South Korea saw falling annual volumes. Expanding capacity is increasing pressure on traditional European suppliers.

A southern Alberta farmer has been invited to speak at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, bringing Canadian agriculture into global discussions on resilient food systems. The annual forum concludes on Friday.

Belarus harvested 3 million tons of potatoes in 2025, down from 3.1 million a year earlier. While authorities say supplies are sufficient, experts warn imports may be needed by summer, potentially pushing prices higher.

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.

Aunque la demanda global de productos de papa sigue creciendo, la sobreoferta europea, la guerra de precios y el avance de productores de bajo costo están obligando a los actores tradicionales a reorientarse hacia eficiencia, valor agregado y mercados premium.

En Estados Unidos, la FDA avaló la papa Russet Burbank II de J. R. Simplot, una variedad GMO desarrollada con resistencia natural al *Phytophthora infestans*, al considerarla tan segura como las convencionales y capaz de reducir pesticidas y mejorar el almacenamiento.

Agricultores franceses protestaron contra el acuerdo UE–Mercosur arrojando toneladas de patatas frente al Parlamento, denunciando competencia desleal y exigiendo mayores salvaguardas para proteger a la agricultura europea.

Spain’s sweet potato supply is low due to weather, keeping demand and prices high. Marta Guerra’s nursery continues growing plants, noting rising consumer interest, strong Spanish quality vs imports, and ongoing water challenges.

As the Union Budget 2026 is unveiled, India’s potato sector has urged the government to take decisive and time-bound policy action to transform the industry into a strong driver of farmer income growth, food processing expansion and export-led development.

Pakistan can double potato export earnings by focusing on industrial varieties and processing. Rising production, global demand, and quality seeds boost growth, while value addition opens high-value markets and stabilizes farmer incomes.

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.

Bihar Government launches Lady Rosetta Potato Expansion Scheme offering farmers 75% subsidy for chips & French fries variety. Applications open till Jan 15, 2026 across 17 districts, boosting farmers’ income and high-value potato cultivation.

The National Potato Council voted to urge USTR to launch a Section 332 investigation into Canadian potato trade practices, citing decades-old restrictions in British Columbia and concerns over subsidies harming U.S. growers.

Sandip Thakker, Founder of SK Group, was honoured as 'Pioneer of Potato Export' at GPS 2025 for building export-ready infrastructure, contract farming, cold-chain systems and positioning India as a global, value-added potato supplier.

One of the standout highlights of the first day of the Global Potato Summit 2025 was the Indian Potato Industry Excellence Awards, a platform created to honor leadership, innovation and impact across India’s potato value chain.