Potato News from Africa

Returning for their 10th and 6th editions, respectively, Food Africa and pacprocess MEA will take place from 9 to 12 December 2025 at the Egypt International Exhibition Center (EIEC).

Rwanda is now a key hub for seed potato trade in the Great Lakes Region, thanks to farmer-led innovations, Africa’s largest minituber facility, a national seed catalogue, and efforts toward regional integration and formal cross-border seed markets.

Natural Storage Solutions Pvt. Ltd. (NSSPL) has announced its return to PROPAK MENA 2025, the region’s premier exhibition for processing and packaging technologies. 

Goodrich Cereals launches its new flavored frozen Potato Gourmet Twist range at FI Africa 2025 in Egypt, June 2–4. Visit booth H2.D43 to taste, explore products, and discuss partnership opportunities.

Kenya will host the 13th World Potato Congress in October/November 2026, following a venue change from Poland. Led by NPCK and supported by key partners, the event aims to spotlight potatoes' role in food security and economic growth.

Potato farmers have urged the government to put more effort into producing certified seed. They have said what is available in the market is costly and inaccessible to most small-scale farmers.

Las exportaciones de papa egipcia alcanzaron 1,1 millones de toneladas en 2024, aunque los precios cayeron hasta un 40% por el aumento de la oferta.

Egypt's fresh potato exports are seeing strong growth, driven by rising demand from Russia, Asia, and the UK. This highlights Egypt's production strength and global market position.

Egypt’s Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Hassan El-Khatib and Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation Alaa Farouk co-chaired the maiden meeting of the Potato Export Regulation Committee, with the participation of several exporters.

The Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resource Development Board (RAB) is conducting trials on new potato varieties that require no fungicide spraying

International Food and Consumable Goods-Egypt, a trusted co-manufacturer, continues to deliver high-quality private-label sweet potato products tailored to brand-specific requirements. With extensive industry experience, the company ensures consistent quality and reliable delivery, meeting the evolving needs of businesses worldwide.

Egypt continues to rapidly increase its potato exports to the United Kingdom. After setting a record volume of exports in 2023, Egyptian exporters further increased export volume by a factor 2.7 in 2024, according to EastFruit. 

PepsiCo South Africa has expanded its Isando factory with a new state-of-the-art potato chip production line with ZAR 746 million (USD 40 million) investment.

As of 2024, the global refugee population has surged to 43.4 million, a significant increase from 41 million in 2010! Uganda, now hosting over 1.74 million refugees, has emerged as Africa’s largest and the world’s fifth-largest refugee host nation.

World Potato Congress Inc., a global network dedicated to advancing the potato industry, presents the Webinar: 'Supporting Small Holder Farmers in Kenya Through a Decentralized Hub Site Model.'

Solynta's potato varieties with high resistances against Late Blight provide Kenyan farmers with good yields, as demonstrated in a comparative field test during an extensive spray/no spray trial in Limuru, Kenya.

Las exportaciones desde Egipto afectan los mercados Europeos. La temporada 2025 parece no ralentizar la búsqueda del país africano por más y mejores mercados de exportación.

The variety release committee of the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) has recently announced that three of Solynta’s hybrid true potato varieties have been approved for distribution in Kenya.