Potato News from Belgium

AVR introduces its new and efficient Puma 3 potato harvester

Europatat, the European Potato Trade Association, announces the appointment of Raquel Izquierdo de Santiago as the new Secretary General of the association.

Belgian Potato packer Pomuni has acquired its competitor Potato Masters in order to scale up operations in a stagnant European potato market [Update: no, they did not]

Dewulf, specialist in harvesting technology for potatoes and carrots, handed the key of the 20th Dewulf harvester of this season to the proud new owner, Geert Vansteelant.

With two months still to go before the opening of INTERPOM | PRIMEURS 2014, the event is already bigger than last time – and virtually fully booked.

Ashley Hunter, senior vice-president and head of TOMRA Sorting Food, who became head of the global sensor-based food sorting business in October 2013, said TOMRA Sorting Solutions’ food business grew nicely during the first half of this year.

The Dewulf group has reached a preliminary agreement for the acquisition of Miedema, the one to go to for development and production of modern technology for storage, sorting, transport and planting of potatoes.

In the potato market, growers and traders live from day to day. 'It's very unpredictable at the moment', Bart Nemegheer of the Aardappelhoeve laments. 'Demand is good, but prices are far below par.'

Belgapom is partnering with research institutions to developed a platform to increase the efficiency of potato production, combining data from drones and satellites.

Mydibel Group, manufacturer of fresh and deep-frozen potato products and dried potato flakes and granules, has invested in the construction of 2 ha of photovoltaic panels - the largest industrial solar field in private hands in Wallonia

TOMRA Sorting announces the development of a new revolutionary feature specifically for french fry manufacturers: Sort-to-Spec - an intelligence system that continuously adapts the sorter settings to obtain maximum product quality.

Dewulf implemented a complete new set of instruments for its self-propelled potato harvesters: an ideal opportunity to invite the users of these harvesters for comprehensive training.

Mydibel Group, manufacturer of chilled, frozen and dehydrated potato products, is investing 5,2 million euros in its processing plant in Mouscron, Belgium. A fully-automated potato sorting process is being implemented in a new, state-of-the-art potato grading area.

Mydibel Group, Belgian manufacturer of chilled, frozen and dehydrated potato products, has been awarded by the “iTQi Superior Taste Award”.

The 17th edition of INTERPOM | PRIMEURS (2014) will be held from Sunday 23 to Tuesday 25 November 2014 in Kortrijk Xpo in Belgium.

Dewulf, a specialist in potato and carrot harvesting technology, introduces its 5th generation of 3-wheeled self-propelled two-row potato harvesters (R3060) for next season.

Europatat, the European Potato Trade Association, is pleased to announce the final programme of the annual Europatat Congress, in Brussels (Belgium) on 22-23 May 2014.

Based upon grower surveys in the 5 main potato countries in Northwestern Europe, the NEPG (North-western European Potato Growers) calculates with an area growth for consumption potatoes between 3,5 and 4% more.