新闻 来自英国

A first-of-its-kind low carbon concept farm in Lincolnshire has successfully grown its first crop of highly sustainable potatoes that will land in UK stores this week, thanks to a partnership between retailer Tesco and industry leader Branston.

Scotts Precision Manufacturing is investing in a new 600sqm logistics and assembly facility, due summer 2026, to increase capacity, improve efficiency and lead times, and support growth into new crops, markets, and international projects.

Branston South West GM Jonathan Taylor will retire in March 2026 after nearly a decade leading major growth and £9m upgrades at Ilminster. Simon Jones, a long-serving operations leader, takes over to drive capacity, sustainability and innovation.

Albert Bartlett partners with Kate Hardcastle MBE to revive Britain’s love of potatoes. Their ‘Make Mealtimes Matter’ campaign promotes spuds as affordable, nutritious staples amid rising living costs.

92% of farmers say their sustainability efforts go unrecognised, despite adopting an average of eight eco-friendly practices. While 85% would do more with financial support, low trust in government and policy confusion remain key barriers.

Royal HZPC Group has finalized the acquisition of IPM Potato Group, following the initial announcement made in October 2025. With all required conditions now fulfilled, IPM officially becomes part of Royal HZPC Group.

'Maris Piper has had its day; or has it?' That was the provocative title of a GB Potatoes debate at the British Potato Industry Event, where industry leaders discussed whether the long-standing variety still has a place in modern potato production.

McCain Foods, the UK largest manufacturer of prepared potato products, has announced plans to launch a new Farm of the Future in North Yorkshire, home of McCain GB headquarters for more than 50 years.

The UK has officially eradicated the Colorado Beetle following two years of intensive surveillance and biosecurity activity. The pest was detected in Kent in July 2023, with one further finding later that year.

Lamb Weston fries range has been named Product of the Year 2026 in the UK Chips category, recognising its full Fries range launched in 2024, which brings restaurant-quality chips from professional kitchens into UK homes.

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.

Flo-Mech Ltd has announced that it officially became 100% employee-owned on 18 November 2025, following the transfer of all shares by the Elderkin family and other shareholders into the Flo-Mech Employee Ownership Trust.

M&S has partnered with Suffolk-based Home Farm Nacton, based on the historic Orwell Park Estate, to bring customers across the UK new variety celebration potatoes for the festive season.

SACAPP’s 2026 conference returns to Dundee on February 5, bringing UK growers together to explore innovation, data-driven production, water resilience and new uses for potato waste, with speakers from Japan, Orkney and Scotland’s plant health leadership.

Flo-Mech Ltd has opened a new demonstration facility showcasing advanced processing equipment, including the G450, Hoegger PS2000 and MPE Chain-Vey. More systems will be added soon. Customers can book trials on-site or at their own facility.

Bauer’s LAMMA highlights include the new Rainmaster A4 irrigator with PE hose and SmartRain connectivity, plus upgraded slurry tankers with contactless steering, new field-mapping controls, and a range of pumps and separators.

The global potato starch market is experiencing steady growth, driven by increasing demand across various industries, including food processing, pharmaceuticals, textiles, paper manufacturing, and adhesives.

As the UK potato industry prepares for BP2025 in Harrogate, Tong Engineering will highlight how its latest handling and automation technologies help growers and processors meet modern demands while preparing for the future.