News on Industry Associations from Canada

Chad Hutchinson of TriCal Group joins the World Potato Congress Inc. Board as a Director. A global expert in potato research and soil health, he brings decades of experience supporting growers and advancing crop production worldwide.

WPC Inc. announces leadership changes: Nora Olsen, Jang Sangha, and Martin Acosta retire, with Greg Donald named Vice President and Brian Douglas appointed Treasurer as preparations begin for the 2026 Congress in Kenya.

On April 9, 2025, Deutscher Kartoffelhandelsverband e.V., DKHV (the German Potato Trade Association) held its 19th General Assembly in Dresden, a city with a long-standing tradition in trade and historical ties to the potato industry.

The PEI Potato Board recently welcomed a 15 member delegation from the
Philippines.

SNAC International Business Members unanimously approved a new slate of officers to serve on the Executive Committee, as well as a new class of Directors-at-Large to serve on the Association’s Board of Directors. 

The World Potato Congress Inc. (WPC) is pleased to welcome Douglas Harley and Derek Roulston as International Advisors.

Potato Growers of Alberta (PGA) announced today the release of its landmark study on the economic impact the potato industry in Alberta. The report, entitled The Alberta Potato Industry – Growing Success in 2022 outlines the significant growth of Alberta’s potato industry in recent years and documents its economic impact on our economy.

The 2023 Canadian Produce Marketing Association Convention and Trade Show (CPMA 2023) held last week in Toronto is CPMA’s biggest show in its history with over 4200 people attending the event.

At the Annual General Meeting on March 13th, CEO of Kroeker Farms in Manitoba, Wayne Rempel was elected as the new Chair of the United Potato Growers of Canada (UPGC) after serving several years as the Secretary.

Ontario Potato Board, Potatoes New Brunswick join the United Potato Growers of Canada (UPGC) as the representative of their potato grower members, giving the organisation a truly national reach.

As John Griffin retires, World Potato Congress announces new leadership: Peter VanderZaag as President and CEO, Nora Olsen as Vice President and Brian Douglas as Director.

The World Potato Congress President, John Griffin, would like to extend a congratulations and warm welcome to their new incoming Executive Director, Ellen Kouwenberg, who will be replacing outgoing General Manager, Brian Douglas.

The World Potato Congress Inc. is very pleased to announce that effective July 01, 2022, André Devaux and Jaap Delleman have joined its Board of Directors. Prior to being appointed as a WPC Director, André Devaux was named as an International Advisor.

United Potato Growers of Canada has hired a new General Manager, Victoria Stamper, of Mascouche, Quebec, a community just north of Montreal. Victoria will join United in this senior role, effective Monday, April 25th.

Kevin MacIsaac, who has been General Manager of the United Potato Growers of Canada since October 1, 2011, announced he will be retiring this fall.

Three awards were presented to well deserving industry members at the Prince Edward Island Potato Board’s monthly meeting in March 2021. In addition, the award winners will be recognized at the PEI Board Annual Banquet in 2022.

McCain Foods Limited has made a substantial investment in TruLeaf Sustainable Agriculture and its wholly owned subsidiary GoodLeaf Farms, Canada's largest commercial vertical farming operation, to help drive the company's growth and expansion plans.

COVID-19-related restaurant closures lead to ‘curtailment’ of french fry production. Cavendish Farms has advised the P.E.I. potato producers under contract to supply the company with spuds to 'sell to other markets if they can'.