Europe, UK, Ireland
International Potato Day: Celebrating diversity, nutrition, sustainability and hope in a global staple crop
The International Potato Day, to be first celebrated on May 30th following a UN resolution, honours the potato’s versatility and significance as a staple food. The German Potato Industry, employing 110,000 people, is the largest EU producer with 264,700 hectares of cultivation. Potatoes are rich in nutrients, highly versatile in cooking, resilient, and sustainable. The event underscores their role in global nutrition, food security, and reducing ecological footprints, according to a recent press release issued jointly by German potato organizations UNIKA and DKHV.
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Ukrainian potato price hike: Prices now triple compared to last year
EastFruit reports a significant price increase for last year’s potatoes in the Ukrainian market, with current prices for the 2023 harvest ranging from 15 to 22 UAH per kilogram (approximately $0.38 to $0.55). This is a 27% hike since the previous week, attributed to a seasonal decrease in supply amid steady demand. Quality issues and a rapid depletion of stocks contribute to the rise, with prices now 3.4 times higher than the same period last year.
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PepsiCo invests over 200 million Euros to boost production and sustainability at Belgian plant
PepsiCo is investing over 200 million euros in its Veurne plant in Belgium to boost production and sustainability, creating 150 new jobs. The plant, a major European snack production site, plans to increase its output by a third to 115,000 tonnes annually. This facility produces popular snacks for brands like Lay’s, Doritos, and Cheetos, distributing to fourteen countries.
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McCain Foods to modernize and expand French potato processing facilities for sustainable growth
McCain Foods plans to invest €350 million into its French potato processing facilities over five years to boost production by 25% and reduce emissions. Investment targets include modernizing the Matougues plant, which will help expand operations significantly. This initiative, highlighted during President Macron’s visit, aligns with broader market growth in processed potato products driven by demand for convenience foods and advancements in processing technology. Challenges such as price volatility and supply disruptions due to climate impacts are also noted.
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Fight Against Blight: James Hutton Institute secures funding to continue vital late blight monitoring and testing
The James Hutton Institute secures additional funding to continue its role in the Fight Against Blight (FAB) scheme, protecting Britain’s potato crops against late blight. Initiated in 2006, the scheme involves a network of FAB Scouts monitoring Phytophthora infestans across the UK. This project, vital for early detection and management of new resistant strains of blight, is supported by a consortium of industry leaders. Despite challenges like resistance and regulatory pressures, the collaborative effort aims for effective blight control and sustainable farming practices.
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Leadership change at the UK Potato Processors Association: John Sedgwick takes helm as Chair
John Sedgwick has been appointed as the new Board Chair of the UK Potato Processors’ Association (PPA), taking over from Dan Hewitt. With extensive experience in the potato industry, Sedgwick aims to address the sector’s challenges such as supply chain issues and economic pressures. The PPA plans to enhance its profile and showcase the benefits of its membership amidst these challenges. Sedgwick’s leadership is welcomed by PPA’s Director General, Andrew Curtis, highlighting Sedgwick’s well-recognized role within the sector.
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When the bots come marching in: AgBot makes debut to Scottish growers
Scotland’s first autonomous tractor, AgBot, was introduced by SoilEssentials, a provider of precision farming solutions. Designed by AgXeed BV in The Netherlands, AgBot offers configurations including tracked and wheeled models. It aims to enhance agricultural efficiency by reducing manual labor and increasing yields, promising a robust future for farming. Further UK demonstrations are anticipated.
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Syngenta unveils Evagio Forte: The next-generation blight fungicide for 2024 with built in resistance management
Syngenta UK has launched Evagio Forte, a new blight fungicide for 2024, combining mandipropamid and amisulbrom to form an anti-resistance, high-efficacy product. Proven by trials to deliver superior control with lower active ingredient rates, it is integral for agronomists aiming to reduce fungicide use. Recommended for use from flowering to season’s end, it prevents spore germination and disease spread, aiding resistance management when alternated with other fungicides.
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FAM STUMABO introduces ‘Scalibur’: A new cutting-edge solution for superior potato slicing
FAM STUMABO introduces Scalibur, a revolutionary potato slicer featuring dual rotation technology for superior slicing quality and efficiency. This advanced tool not only minimizes cell damage for smoother slices and increased yield but also offers versatility with interchangeable cutting heads for various vegetables. Scalibur ensures enhanced process control, reduced cost from lower parts wear, and compatibility with SureSet 16-blade heads, promising a new standard in the food processing industry.
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Major expansion: McCain Foods to invest more than €350m in potato processing production in France
McCain Foods plans to invest over €350 million in France by 2028 to enhance its potato production capabilities. Primarily focusing on three production sites in Harnes, Béthune, and Matougues, this initiative will boost production capacity by almost 25%. This investment, termed “unprecedented” by regional president Alain Duranleau, aims to bolster the company’s competitiveness and sustainability, further solidifying its presence in the French market.
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Spuds in crisis: Climate change hits European and global potato industry
Climate change is severely impacting potato crops globally, causing price surges and jeopardizing farmers’ livelihoods. Heavy rainfall, floods, and droughts have led to reduced yields, lower quality, and increased disease. From Canada’s significant losses to Europe’s crop declines and similar struggles in Africa and South America, the global potato industry is under stress. This crisis highlights the urgent need for action against climate change to protect food security and the agricultural sector.
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Limited stocks and anticipated harvest delays keep UK potato prices on upward trend
UK potato prices have surged due to a low 2023 harvest and delayed planting, with English White potatoes now at £630/MT, showing a 90% increase, and Maris Piper potatoes at £660/MT, up by 120%. Market analyst Harry Campbell at Mintec writes that despite warmer May weather improving planting, supply constraints continue, leading growers to hold stocks in anticipation of prices reaching beyond £700/MT. The market remains primarily a sellers’ market.
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Royal HZPC Group navigates market volatility: Financial stability amid fluctuating yields and global expansion
Royal HZPC Group forecasts a similar financial outcome for 2023/2024 as last year, with an expected 4% increase in turnover. Despite low European yields, sales exceeded expectations, especially in licensed tonnage in America and Asia, contributing to this growth. Financial challenges persist due to high yields in other regions and potential costs in politically unstable areas. The company also recovered funds from a cyberattack, closing that incident.
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As the EU stalls, leading plant breeder warns that England must not let precision breeding opportunity slip
Nigel Moore highlights Britain’s opportunity to lead in plant breeding due to delays in the EU’s gene editing advancements. He expresses concerns over potential restrictive measures in the Precision Breeding Act’s secondary legislation, which may hinder the UK’s progress in agricultural innovation. Moore discusses the act’s attractiveness to investors and significant potential applications, such as enhanced crop yields. One potential application baby potatoes with ‘bunched’ root architecture which allow almost three times as many tubers to be produced from the same area of farmland.
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Ireland and Europe face challenges in potato planting due to unpredictable weather
This week, potato farmers in Ireland and Europe face significant challenges due to erratic weather, affecting planting and crop progress as reported by the IFA. In Ireland, brief dry spells were insufficient for sustaining continuous planting, leading to potential supply issues in summer. Similar issues are observed across Europe, with France and neighboring countries experiencing severe planting delays. The IFA stresses the importance of strategic planning to mitigate weather impacts on agriculture.
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Transforming potato storage: Biofresh Safestore showcased sprout suppressant system at SPot Store event
Biofresh Safestore, a leading UK provider of potato sprout control technology, showcased its ethylene-based suppressant system at the SPot Store event on May 14th, hosted by Winters Lane Storage in Lincolnshire. The event, aimed at refining potato storage practices, featured discussions on store design and cold storage regimes. Ethylene, used since 2003, replaces traditional chemicals, meeting safety regulations without leaving residues.
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New partnership in agri-tech: Tolsma-Grisnich and Invaro Group collaborate on cutting-edge sorting technology
Effective May 1, 2024, Tolsma-Grisnich and the Invaro Group will collaborate intensively in optical sorting for potatoes and onions. Tolsma-Grisnich will manage all commercial and service aspects of the Schouten Optica Q and CS globally, while Invaro Group continues developing and producing Optica technology. This partnership leverages the strengths of both companies to offer advanced, quality-enhancing solutions to growers and processors.
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Syngenta unifies agronomy tools: Introducing myField app for streamlined potato crop management
Syngenta has integrated BlightCast and Quantis Heat Stress Alert into a single myField app, enhancing decision support for potato growers. This digital tool provides advanced warnings on disease and heat stress on a field-by-field basis, combining personalized weather and agronomy data. The app, replacing older web-based systems, offers detailed forecasts, visual risk indicators, and alert emails to optimize blight strategies and heat stress management.
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Possible potato shortage looms in Ireland as growers rush to late planting following bad weather
Irish shoppers may face potato shortages this summer due to delayed planting resulting from unusually wet weather, as reported by The Journal. This setback follows a poor harvest last year, further diminishing crop size. Teagasc experts predict supermarkets might resort to rationing potatoes. Additionally, with a sharp decline in Irish potato growers from 700 to 160 over the past decade, there’s a call for supermarkets to better support farmers and cease promotions of heavily discounted potatoes.
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Scotts Precision Manufacturing Ltd: A leader in innovative root crop and vegetable harvesting systems
Scotts Precision Manufacturing Ltd, established in 1994, specializes in innovative root crop and vegetable harvesting and cleaning systems. Utilizing advanced 3D design and state-of-the-art manufacturing, they offer a diverse range of equipment, including the Evolution Separator and Microlift Pro, to a global clientele. Recently, they expanded their market presence with dedicated websites for USA and French-Canadian customers.
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Value of Scottish potato industry more than just ‘small potatoes’
Potatoes, despite their versatile use in food and non-food sectors, have seen a dramatic 71% decline in UK’s fresh potato demand since the 1970s. According to a report by SRUC, Scotland remains more stable in potato production compared to the entire UK, accounting for significantly higher portions of seed potatoes, crucial due to its disease-free status. Scotland’s seed potato sector, highlighted for its economic importance, supports substantial employment and generates significant economic output.
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Seed potato institute in France launches comprehensive English-language website to boost global outreach
Inov3pt, the Agricultural Technical Institute of Seed Potato in France has recently launched a comprehensive English-language website aimed at broadening its international engagements. The platform, accessible via www.inov3pt.fr, features detailed information on the institute’s missions, projects, and potato research innovations. It presents a hub for global agricultural connections, emphasizing collaborative and educational resources to advance potato science and foster shared learning worldwide.
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‘Strategic Potato Storage Day’ set to showcase groundbreaking innovations in potato storage technology
The “Strategic Potato Storage Day,” scheduled for 14 May 2024, is poised to spotlight the latest advancements in potato storage technology. This significant event, meticulously organized by GB Potatoes, Potato Storage Insight, and SDF Agriculture, is expected to draw industry leaders and agronomists. This strategic event promises to be a cornerstone for those involved in the potato industry, from growers to researchers and commercial stakeholders.
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New short course lets students of all ages get their hands dirty as tattie roguers
The UK’s unique tattie roguing course by Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) is a gateway for job seekers to enter Scotland’s esteemed seed potato industry. Offering practical training on disease identification and crop maintenance, the course equips students with a certificate indicating their competency. With increasing plant diseases, skilled roguers are in high demand, addressing the vital need for crop health preservation.
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Soil health reimagined: Key practices for a thriving agricultural future
Helen Holman of Emerald Research emphasizes the importance of soil health, which requires soils to thrive, not just survive, for sustainable agriculture. She outlines five key indicators of healthy soil: structure, chemistry, organic matter, and water management. To improve soil health, Holman suggests increasing organic matter, promoting microbial activity, and understanding soil chemistry. Regular soil testing is advised for optimized crop nutrition and overall farm management success. Holman stresses soil health as crucial asset management in agriculture.
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