News on Potato Varieties and Seed

September 15, 2023

Peter Poortinga appointed as CEO of hybrid potato company Solynta

Dutch innovative hybrid potato breeder Solynta announced that Peter Poortinga will join the company as Chief Executive Officer as per September 15.

Potato harvest August 2023 in the Netherlands (Courtesy: Dewulf)

September 14, 2023

Average potato production in North-western-Europe threatened by quality issues

The last 4 months was not easy going for the potato production in the NEPG region. But despite the difficult weather conditions, first yield estimates suggest a return to multi-year averages, with an estimated harvest of around 23 million tonnes of potatoes.

September 13, 2023

Princesa Amandine potatoes at Fruit Attraction in three stands and in three formats

Princesa Amandine will participate in Fruit Attraction (from October 3 to 5 at IFEMA Madrid) and can be found at the stands of three of its partners, Udapa (10G06, hall 10), Ibérica de Patatas (5E06, hall 5) and Campotec (8C08, stand Portugal Fresh 2023).

McGill University Professor Martina Stromvik and her team have created a potato super pangenome to identify genetic traits that can help produce the next super spud.

August 29, 2023

Mapping genetic variation of the potato: McGill researchers create super pangenome

Scientists have assembled the genome sequences of nearly 300 varieties of potatoes and its wild relatives to develop more nutritious, disease-free, and weather-proof crop.

A potato field of Agronico in bloom in Tasmania, Australia (Variety Atlantic)

August 27, 2023

Simplot to acquire Agronico, Tasmania’s largest seed potato producer

Agronico, Tasmania’s largest seed potato producer, has entered into an agreement for Simplot to acquire the business and property assets of Agronico.

August 27, 2023

Seed potato supplier Europlant expands market presence in the Mediterranean region

Seed potato supplier Europlant Pflanzenzucht GmbH establishes a subsidiary in Spain to expand its market presence in the Mediterranean. Going forward, Europlant Espana Semillas S.L. will be responsible for the distribution of the modern and high-performance potato varieties in Spain.

U.S. Potato Exports Reach Record Value and Volume July 2022 – June 2023

August 26, 2023

United States Potato Exports Reach Record Value and Volume July 2022 – June 2023

United States potato exports reached record value and volume in the 12-month period from July 2022 – June 2023. Export values increased 19.05% to USD 2.2 billion, and export volume increased 3.85% to 3.3 million metric tons (fresh weight equivalent).

August 22, 2023

Solynta's Latest Hybrid Potato Variety Shows Remarkable Late Bligh Resistance in Field Trial

Solynta's potato variety was the only one to survive the high late blight pressure in the field among three other commercial varieties planted alongside.

Potato Next, The Dutch Potato Cooperation

August 10, 2023

PotatoNext is the name of the new Agrico, Nedato and Leo de Kock cooperative focused on table potatoes

Agrico, Nedato and Leo de Kock announced the name of the new, independent cooperative of common consumption potatoes: PotatoNext. This joint cooperative marks an important milestone in the potato industry and will be the result of a close collaboration between the three renowned companies.

KC-SWEET PURPLE is rich in beta-carotene, iron and zinc.

August 09, 2023

Kenya leads Eastern Africa with release of climate-adaptive and nutritious purple-fleshed sweet potato variety

The International Potato Center (CIP) has collaborated with Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) to release the KC Sweet Purple variety of sweet potato in an effort to tackle ongoing climate challenges facing farmers in Kenya.

August 03, 2023

Alsum Farms Begins Wisconsin Yellow Potato Harvest

Wisconsin yellow potato harvest is underway at Alsum Farms in Arena, Wis. with the first potato loads being washed, graded and packed for fresh market delivery to distribution centers and retail grocers the first full week of August.

August 01, 2023

Idaho evaluating alternate method of dormancy testing for Seed Potatoes

University of Idaho doctoral student Lisa Tran’s dissertation has the potential to transform how Idaho’s seed potato certification authority does business.

Paving ways to a robust and vibrant potato seed sector in Tanzania

July 18, 2023

Paving the way for a robust and vibrant seed potato sector in Tanzania

Tanzania and the Netherlands have agreed to collaborate on developing a joint roadmap for the thriving seed potato ecosystem.

July 16, 2023

United Kingdom Potato volumes expected to be low despite good growing conditions

The UK potato sector has been going through a better spell this year, but it did take a long time for the potato shortage to feed back to growers as there was still crop from the previous year on the market and the prices didn’t increase until around mid-May.

July 13, 2023

Egypt is strengthening its position in the Dutch sweet potato market

Egypt continues to hold the position of the second biggest supplier of sweet potatoes to the Dutch market and is increasing its export of sweet potatoes to the Netherlands year after year.

Canadian Potato Storage Holdings Reports July 2023

July 12, 2023

Less potatoes left in storage in Canada: Potato Storage Holdings Reports July 2023

As of July 1, 2023, total Canadian Potato Storage Holdings are reported to be down 34.9% over 2022 numbers for the same period, and lower than the 3-yr. average.

Delhi High Court dismisses PepsiCo's appeal against order revoking potato variety registration

July 08, 2023

Delhi High Court dismisses appeal by Pepsico against order revoking potato variety registration

The potato variety FL-2027 (commercial name FC-5) used for the production of potato chips was registered by PepsiCo India Holdings in India and the registration was granted in February 2016 under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001, but the registration was revoked in 2021.