Potato News from United Kingdom

Currency and supply dynamics are affecting the relative price of British processing potatoes compared to supplies from Belgium and the Netherlands.

In the United Kingdom, Kettle Foods has launched a rebranded and extended range of vegetable Chips, 'Kettle Veg Chips', featuring the flavours 'Lightly Salted', 'Honey & Black Pepper' (new) and 'Sea Salt & Balsamic Vinegar' (new).

Italian seasonal new potatoes will be launched into Tesco this autumn on the back of new research showing that consumers want freshly harvested new potatoes all year round.

Branston, one of the biggest potato suppliers in the United Kingdom, has officially opened its £5 million prepared potato factory extension in partnership with Tesco.

Europe Snacks and Kolak Food Snacks Ltd. announced that they have joined forces.

AHDB Potatoes will use this year’s Seed Industry Event on 3 November to review the industry’s current approach to controlling blackleg. The biennial conference, held this year in St Andrews, will also provide growers with an insight into the potential impact of Brexit, and scope out the potato market, both at home and abroad.

Award-winning innovators Metcalfe’s skinny popcorn are excited to expand their delicious range in the United Kingdom with the launch of a brand new flavour, Maple Bacon.

Snyder's-Lance, Inc. today announced that the Company's Kettle Foods subsidiary completed the acquisition of Metcalfe's skinny Limited, by acquiring the remaining 74% interest in the leading UK premium popcorn brand. Kettle Foods had initially acquired a 26% stake in the business from Metcalfe in January 2016.

AHDB Potatoes has produced provisional estimates of planted areas by variety for Great Britain for 2016.

Alice Tong, daughter of Chairman Charles Tong, and sister to Managing Director Edward, has joined the long-established family-run vegetable handling equipment manufacturer Tong Engineering.

Amplify Snack Brands, Inc. (“Amplify” or the “Company”) (NYSE:BETR) and Crisps Topco Limited and Subsidiaries (“Tyrrells”) announced last week that they have executed a definitive agreement under which Amplify will acquire Tyrrells, an international, market-leading and rapidly growing premium Better-For-You snack food business.

Jobs are to be axed at Herbert Engineering in Wisbech after the company went into administration on July 14

Following the end of a significant packing contract, UK Potato Packer Farmcare is to embark on a period of consultation with 90 staff at its Carnoustie location.

Tong Engineering is now offering potato processors using its advanced grading and handling equipment a Diagnostics module as part of its latest pro-series Auto-Touch HMI touch screen control.

AHDB Potatoes’ Next Generation educational programme continued to explore GB’s diverse potato industry with a processing-focussed, whole supply chain day at McCain GB Foods Ltd Headquarters in Scarborough recently.

Work to make potatoes more nutritious by including nanoparticles in the fertilizer formulation is proving promising, according to the AHDB-funded researcher Karen Davies

Last week, administrators were appointed to R J Herbert Engineering and R J Herbert Group Ltd of Walton Highway near Wisbech.

McCain Foods GB has recognised Park Farm near Leominister for its exceptional achievements over the potato crop year. Bill and Nicky Smith, of Park Farm, have received the Southern Champion Grower Award from popular chip brand McCain.