News on Health and Nutrition from the Netherlands

During the international symposium Food Systems Transformation, experts advocated for a more strategic and long-term vision on providing food security and the need for transformation of current food systems.

Lamb Weston / Meijer released its Sustainability Report 2021-2022, based on its 2030 Sustainability Agenda and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

While many plant proteins are deficient in one or more essential amino acids necessary for optimal muscle growth and repair, a new randomized controlled study published in shows that plant-derived proteins can still induce strong anabolic responses.

The new generation of potato varieties is performing better and better under extreme climate conditions such as drought, according to the recent sustainability report of potato breeder HZPC

The growing acreage of starch potatoes, especially outside the Netherlands, led to pressure on prices for native starch this year. Rising costs due to the corona crisis also depressed the performance price.

The potato sector has the ability to significantly contribute to a sustainable food supply worldwide. HZPC will therefore broadcast an inspiring programme on 3 November during Potato Days 2021 Live.

Seed Potato company HZPC realized that the financial year 2020/2021 would be difficult. Last year, the potato distributor was operating in a global economic recession.

An increasing number of people in the western world are overweight. Why? Scientists have been seeking an answer to this question for some time now. Researcher Rachelle de Vries sheds (quite) some light: we may be pre-programmed.

¿Por qué importar patatas cuando están disponibles en el país? En los Países Bajos, la disponibilidad de patatas se amplía continuamente, gracias al desarrollo de variedades y a la mejora de los métodos de almacenamiento.

New discovery will lead to faster and more focused potato breeding

As plantings for the 2021 potato crop in North-western Europe is wrapping up, it seems very probable that total potato area within the NEPG zone (EU-04) will be reduced by 3 to 5 percent.

Royal Cosun (parent of potato processor Aviko) closed 2020 with a slightly higher group result than in 2019. Aviko had an exceptionally turbulent year. Lockdowns exerted pressure on Aviko’s turnover in the foodservice channel, whereas other business groups benefited directly or indirectly from higher sales in the retail channel.

Until December 31, 2020 the North-western European Potato Growers (NEPG) was a 5 country organization, but the organization started 2021 without the British AHDB. Also, Victor Pfaff stepped down as NEPG secretary and is replaced by Daniel Ryckmans.

Potato coop Agrico held its annual central general members' meeting last week. During this online meeting, the annual figures for 2019/2020 were discussed and Agrico's digital transformation was addressed.

NEPG (North-Western European Potato Growers) is unsure of the current potato situation and does not expect major changes in the demand side of the market in the coming weeks.

In financial year 2019/2020 Dutch Potato Starch Producer Royal Avebe achieved a performance price of 96.15 euros. This is a fraction below the record result - 96.63 euros - of the previous financial year.

The corona crisis dealt a blow to the fries processing industry and that in turn had consequences for the growers who supply the industry.

The annual Potato Days in Joure are a valued networking event attracting hundreds of growers and customers from many countries.