News on Sustainability

Potatoes in Practice, the UK’s biggest field potato event, is on 7 August at Balruddery Farm. Hosted by James Hutton Institute, it brings growers, researchers, and industry leaders together to share innovations and advance the potato sector.

Robots in potato farming help ease labor shortages, cut costs, and boost yields by automating tasks like planting and harvesting. Paired with smart tools like crop monitoring, they improve efficiency, reduce waste, and support sustainable farming.

Cavendish Farms is launching a sustainability project on Prince Edward Island to help potato growers adopt eco-friendly practices, focusing on water use, pest control, and soil health. A farm advisory group will guide research and share results with local farmers.

Goodrich Cereals showcases its innovative frozen fries, potato appetizers, flakes, and dehydrated veggies at JFEX 2025, Tokyo (Booth 3-21), highlighting quality, flavor, and sustainability to expand in Japan’s premium food market.

Lamb Weston opened a new factory in Kruiningen, Netherlands, focused on sustainability. The facility reuses water and heat throughout production, making the process more efficient and eco-friendly while delivering high-quality frozen fries.

Dr. Neeraj Sharma has been appointed as CIP's Country Manager for India, effective June 9, 2025. A veteran in potato R&D, he will lead strategy, partnerships, and operations to boost sustainable agriculture and food security in India.

P.E.I. launches a buy-back program for potato wart index fields to combat the fungal disease. It aids farmers, protects land, and boosts trade, with over USD 40M spent since 2021 on wart control efforts.

With a focus on Making Fries and Making Strides, Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. issued its annual Global Sustainability Report, providing updates on the company’s performance against key sustainability and people initiatives during its fiscal year 2024.

El proyecto supone aprovechar los residuos de los procesos de industrialización de patata y darle así un giro sustentable a la cadena de valor.

DormFresh and TASC International opened a EUR 600,000 Trial and Research Center in Rosche, Germany, to develop sustainable potato storage solutions post-CIPC ban. The facility supports EU trials, focusing on eco-friendly sprout inhibition methods.

Alsum Farms & Produce awarded USD 10,000 in scholarships to 10 Wisconsin high school seniors for academic, agricultural, and community excellence. The program supports future ag leaders.

GB Potatoes has joined HCP to secure vital crop protection authorisations for the UK seed potato sector, using AHDB levy funds. A new technical group will prioritise needs, ensuring sustainable, high-quality seed and ware potato production.

The potato snack aisle is a battlefield-crammed with crisps, chips, fries, and a dizzying array of flavours. With global market revenues expected to reach over USD 126 billion by 2034 and a steady 3% annual growth rate, it’s clear that competition is fierce and only getting hotter.

By mid-March, Hans Huistra, CEO of the Royal HZPC Group, had done a good deal of driving on Dutch highways. He rushed from meeting to meeting, sharing the good news that last season's average prices will be historically high with affiliated seed potato growers.

Lutosa celebrated a key milestone in its development at Waregem, with the official inauguration of a vast industrial investment project.

The potato feeds over a billion people but faces disease and limited diversity. Investing in research, breeding, and farmer support is vital to improve resilience and productivity, ensuring it remains a key staple for global food security.

Brussels marked the 2nd International Day of Potato with a conference and exhibition, highlighting the crop's role in food security, sustainability, and innovation. Stakeholders called for supportive EU policies to boost the potato value chain.

May 30 marks International Potato Day, a global observance initiated by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to recognize the potato's significant role in food security, nutrition, and livelihoods.