Potato News from Europe

Castilla y León, líder español en producción de patata, enfrenta el desafío de mantener su regadío basado en aguas subterráneas bajo nuevas exigencias de sostenibilidad marcadas por la Unión Europea.

The FAO Food Price Index averaged 125.1 points in November 2025, down 1.2 percent from October and marking a third consecutive monthly decline. Lower prices for dairy products, meat, sugar and vegetable oils outweighed an increase in the cereal index.

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.

Lamb Weston, HAI, Radboud University and ISPT are advancing potato processing with AI and hyperspectral imaging to boost quality, reduce waste and improve efficiency. Lamb Weston experts say the technology enables consistent supply and faster, deeper quality predictions.

Ukraine imported 123,140 t of potatoes in Jan–Oct 2025, up 5.1 times, worth USD 66M, mainly from Poland, Egypt and the Netherlands. Exports fell 13.4% to 2,140 t, though earnings rose slightly. In October, imports dropped sharply while exports grew.

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.

Las importaciones españolas de frutas y hortalizas frescas siguieron creciendo entre enero y septiembre de 2025, con un alza del 6% en volumen y del 13% en valor. La patata se mantuvo como el producto más importado.

The DKHV is relaunching the 'Kids an die Knolle' school garden program in 2026, inviting teachers and educators to register and receive 5 kg of free seed potatoes for hands-on learning. Schools can register until 15 February 2026.

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.

FRUIT LOGISTICA 2026 (4–6 Feb, Berlin) gathers the global fresh produce industry for innovation, networking, and market insights. With 2,500+ exhibitors, expert forums, tech showcases, and the 20th Innovation Award, it drives the future of fresh produce.

Poland exported a record 107,540 tonnes of potatoes from January to August 2025, supplying 31 countries. Ukraine led with 57,110 tonnes, followed by Romania, Moldova, Belarus, Germany, Italy, Slovakia, Latvia, Spain, and the UK.

Max Koeune, CEO of McCain Foods, joins The Consumer Goods Forum as Co-Chair alongside Tesco’s Ken Murphy, driving global collaboration and innovation. McCain continues its leadership in sustainability, food waste, and industry partnerships.

Forsfood has launched a new website featuring improved navigation, detailed product insights, and a dedicated section on its high-performance peelers. More case stories and resources will be added soon, with forsfood.com serving global users and forsfood.fi the Finnish market.

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.

In Ukraine, demand for niche vegetable crops is growing noticeably, most notably for sweet potatoes and asparagus. These observations were shared in a market review of the magazine 'Gardening in Ukrainian'.

Egyptian sweet potatoes are gaining ground in Europe as demand rises. Short transit times, lower costs, and better storage boost supply. Dutch production struggles with low yields, while growing consumer interest and ready-to-eat trends drive market growth.

Robotics, imaging, sensors and data-driven tools will lead fruit and vegetable innovation at FRUIT LOGISTICA 2026. The FRUTIC Science Symposium on 6 February will highlight advances shaping global horticultural production and postharvest management.

Potato Processor Agristo integrates sustainability into operations, using Operational Excellence to improve efficiency and reduce water, energy, and raw material use—turning smarter processes into a more responsible future.