Potato News from Europe

Dewulf, full-liner in agricultural machines for the cultivation of potatoes and root crops, launches a unique transfer combi: the Field Loader 240. The machine will be officially launched during the Aardappeldemodag on August 22, 2018 in Westmaas (NL).

The North-Western European Potato Growers (NEPG) conclude that the potato production this year in North-Western Europe will be much lower than average and that quality issues will be a main challenge.

Research at the James Hutton Institute has identified genetic variations which can help protect potato crop yields at high temperature, potentially providing potato breeders with a valuable tool in their quest to create varieties resilient to heat stress

Representantes del Cabildo de Tenerife (España) se reunieron con el director regional del Centro Internacional de la Papa (CIP) para América Latina y el Caribe, con el fin de iniciar acciones relacionadas con la gastronomía, la investigación, el desarrollo y la innovación.

The extreme heat and drought is a disaster for the upcoming potato harvest. And for processors too: in Belgium, potato chips manufacturer Roger&Roger (Croky) temporarily halts production of some its flavours to manage the lack of potato supply.

La creían venenosa, desconfiaban de su aspecto y de algunos incómodos efectos digestivos. Pero un hombre, Antoine Parmentier, se consagró a propagandizar sus virtudes. Finalmente popular, este producto americano, exótico, se convirtió en la base de la dieta.

The FAO Food Price Index (FFPI) averaged 168.8 points in July 2018, down as much as 6.5 points (3.7 percent) from June and 10.3 points (3.7 percent) from the corresponding period last year.

The Potato Processing companies in the United Kingdom have released a statement through the Potato Processors’ Association Ltd (PPA), expressing their concern for the impact of current weather conditions on UK potato processing sector.

The total area in Great Britain planted with potatoes is estimated at 119,000 hectares(ha), a fall of three per cent on the previous year. This would represent the third-lowest planted area on record, with an agricultural drought likely to affect yields.

Earlier this month, KP Snacks, part of the Intersnack Group, announced it had reached an agreement to acquire Popchips Ltd, which owns and operates the Popchips brand for Europe.

David Rodgers, growing potatoes in normally lush and fertile North Co Dublin says the unprecedented conditions over recent weeks – from an exceptionally cold spring to a record-breaking hot summer – have forced his potato plants into “shutting down”.

The German Association of Fruit, Vegetables and Potato Processing Industry (BOGK) expects that the potato harvest in Germany and Europe will be significantly reduced in quantity, as well as quality compared to the previous year due to the long ongoing drought and heat wave.

McCain, the UK’s number one frozen potato brand, has announced that Nick Vermont will be retiring from the business after a 35-year career at McCain Foods. Howard Snape will replace Nick as regional president, McCain Foods GB and Ireland.

The INTERPOM PRIMEURS, a trade show entirely focused on the potato industry held November 25 - 27 2018 in Kortrijk Xpo (Belgium), has already sold out all stand space.

Heat and Control and Ishida have demonstrated their complete solutions in snacks food production Open House event at the Ishida factory facility in Birmingham, United Kingdom.

Ibersnacks merged with the Europe Snacks group, thus consolidating its dominance over the European snack market with 9 operational plants in 3 different countries.

Total potato production in North-western Europe will be mostly determined by yield, as extreme drought plagues the crop, growing on a one percent larger acreage

A recent study on the impact of Pulsed Electric Field treatment (PEF) in the potato processing industry has shown substantial benefits in comparison to the regular process using conventional pre-heaters.