News on The Potato Supply Chain from Belgium

The North-Western European Potato Growers (NEPG) conclude that the potato production this year in North-Western Europe will be much lower than average and that quality issues will be a main challenge.

The extreme heat and drought is a disaster for the upcoming potato harvest. And for processors too: in Belgium, potato chips manufacturer Roger&Roger (Croky) temporarily halts production of some its flavours to manage the lack of potato supply.

The INTERPOM PRIMEURS, a trade show entirely focused on the potato industry held November 25 - 27 2018 in Kortrijk Xpo (Belgium), has already sold out all stand space.

Total potato production in North-western Europe will be mostly determined by yield, as extreme drought plagues the crop, growing on a one percent larger acreage

Belgapom, the Belgian potato trade and processing industry association, has appointed Marc Van Herreweghe as its new chairman.

The Belgian Development Cooperation has been working with the International Potato Centre (CIP) in developing countries since the 1970s. The aim is to support the research and training required to improve the production of potatoes and sweet potatoes, as well as other root vegetables and tubers.

Agricultural Machinery manufacturer GRIMME inaugurated its new location in Roeselare, Belgium with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

The NEPG (North-Western European Potato Growers) estimate that the growers in the 5 leading potato growing countries will plant 0,4% more potatoes than last year.

Europatat Congress 2018 was attended by over 90 participants from 21 countries and received very positive feedback, in particular regarding the high quality of the speakers and their refreshing and inspiring messages.

The European Potato Trade Association Europatat elected a new board yesterday. Gilles Fontaine was appointed President for the next three-years

The European Commission decided on Friday April, 27 2018 to impose a complete ban on neonicotinoids, referring to the risk they pose to wild bees and honeybees.

Organisations representing potato farmers in Belgium and France, have started a project (interreg-GEPOS) to look for alternative destinations for potatoes in Belgium and the North of France in seasons marked by large surpluses.

Dewulf, full-line supplier of potato and root crop equipment, has officially inaugurated its new logistics
centre (SLC) at its headquarters in Roeselare, Belgium

The record year of 2016 for the Belgian potato processing industry continued into 2017, according to Belgapom, the Belgian potato trade and processing industry association.

Under the slogan 'Potatoes: a healthy, sustainable and responsible sector', the Congress will focus on the many assets of the sector in the, both politically and technical key areas of health, sustainability and responsibility of the business.

An investment of ‎€ 200 million (USD 250 million) in a brand new French Fry plant in Wielsbeke, Belgium. That's what Hannelore Raes and Filip Wallays expect it will take to push their family company Agristo into the top five french fry manufacturers worldwide.

The North-Western European Potato Growers report on volume and condition of the potatoes still in storage

Europatat, the European Potato Trade Association, has confirmed the dates for its annual Europatat Congress. Under the slogan “Potatoes: a healthy, sustainable and responsible sector”, the 2018 Congress will focus on sustainability.