News on The Potato Supply Chain 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.

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.

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.

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.

SolEdits and Lyckeby have developed CRISPR-edited potatoes with storage-stable starch, removing the need for chemical modification. Once allowed in the EU, this innovation can save 5,000 tonnes of chemicals yearly in Sweden and up to 75,000 across the EU.

xFarm Technologies, a Swiss digital agriculture specialist, will participate in Agritechnica 2025 in Hanover (Nov 9–15). At stand D32, Hall 21, the company will showcase new digital, AI-driven and IoT solutions for smarter, sustainable farming.

Around 65 participants, ranging from growers and traders to processors, joined today’s German-language RUCIP Webinar 2025 to learn about the latest updates to the European trade rules for potatoes (RUCIP) and their practical implementation in Germany.

The 2025 table potato storage season emphasizes energy-efficient, quality-focused storage. Using Tolsma Grisnich solutions, smart ventilation, and precise temperature control reduces costs, weight loss, and sprout inhibitor use, boosting yield and profits despite market challenges.

The European Snacks Association releases its 2025 Sustainability Report, highlighting members’ efforts in resource efficiency, sustainable sourcing, energy savings, and eco-friendly packaging, supporting the EU Green Deal and circular economy initiatives.

Plant protection, bureaucracy, and production costs – these are just some of the issues currently weighing heavily on Germany’s specialty crop sector.