News on The Potato Supply Chain from United Kingdom

Potato yield increases in the United Kingdom have stuttered to a halt in a similar manner to cereals in recent years and experts believe improving the state of British potato-growing soils will be vital to drive yields higher again.

Crop Systems Ltd’s new TaperStor^TM offers operators total control over the stored crop and the environment in which it is kept, combined with the ability to maximise the volume of storage available on any given footprint and so reduce storage costs per tonne.

Following the successful first-time collaboration by the British potato and horticulture sector at Fruit Logistica 2013, Potato Council, Horticultural Development Company (HDC) and the Commercial Horticultural Association (CHA) return with their industries to this massive event in February 2014.

The potato industry flocked to Harrogate for BP2013, with organisers reporting a 20 per cent increase on the usual 6,000 attendance.

Chip Week has become one of the biggest awareness weeks in the calendar, but, as important as it is, it is still only one aspect of the work that Potato Council does to support the sector.

Dewulf, specialist in harvesting technology of potatoes and carrots, proudly presents number 300 of the R3060, 2-row self-propelled potato harvester.

Tong Peal Engineering is set to showcase its latest range of in-field handling equipment at LAMMA 2014.

Profits have fallen by more than £10m at McCain Foods GB after Britain's market-leading frozen chip maker was hit by a severe shortage of quality potatoes in the UK as a direct result of the extreme weather conditions in the 2012 growing season.

Grimme has introduced its flagship Varitron 470 four-row self-propelled potato harvester to the UK. One machine has been undergoing testing in East Anglia, while another has already been sold for red beet harvesting.

Greenvale provides opportunities to graduates each year to work in up to four different areas of the business over a 2 year period, before taking up a position with the company at the end.

Educating children about the importance of food, farming and healthy eating is a priority for Potato Council and the ‘Grow Your Own Potatoes’ project does just that. Now entering its tenth year, the project has reached over 2 million children to date.

Tong Peal will debut its brand new suite of packhouse equipment, alongside its market leading grading and handling equipment at this year's British Potato 2013, held on 27th &28th November.

Herbert Engineering, the leaders in handling systems for the agricultural, process and fresh pack industries, are again exhibiting at British Potato where they are launching three major new products.

Walkers is increasing the size of its Grab Bags by 20%. The size increase is taking place across both the Walkers core range and the brands Doritos, Monster Munch and Quavers, offering shoppers better value and making them more appealing for sharing.

Soldier, Atlantic rower and motivational speaker, Rory Mackenzie, strives for success and is constantly searching for new challenges. Ticket holders to the sell-out BP2013 potato industry dinner, will get the opportunity to hear his inspirational story.

In the United Kingdom, Members of Parliament (MPs) were treated to a day of potatoes, as Potato Council was sponsored to attend Parliament during Potato Week (7-13 October).

In the United Kingdom, a high profile advertising campaign has been launched to drive awareness and sales of named potato varieties.

Potato farming and supply firm Produce Investments Plc (Greenvale AP) has reported a 26.6 per cent rise in annual pre-tax profits to £7.6 million.