Potato News from Europe

Time is rapidly running out to make sure potato stores in the United Kingdom comply with new rules on using chlorpropham (CIPC), which require the sprout suppressant to be applied using “active recirculation” at new lower rates.

Agrico exhibited at Fruit Logistica in Berlin from Wednesday 8 to Friday 10 February 2017. During this leading international trade fair, Agrico demonstrated its growing range of varieties.

Aviko, one of the top potato processing companies in Europe, plans to invest € 200 million (USD 210 million) in new and existing production plants.

Royal Cosun announces an increase in its profit for 2016 in comparison with 2015. The projected decline in the profit on sugar was offset by firmer results on other activities, especially potatoes.

Volgens bronnen binnen de NEPG (North-Western European Potato Growers) zou de eerder verwachte areaaluitbreiding, als gevolg van een tekort aan pootgoed, minder zijn dan eerder verwacht.

The FAO Food Price Index (FFPI) in January 2017 averaged 173.8 points, up 3.7 points (2.1 percent) from the revised December value. At this level, the FFPI is at its highest value since February 2015

Agrico, together with its subsidiaries, will be demonstrating its strength in potato varieties at Fruit Logistica in Berlin.

Tong Engineering, the UK’s leading designer and manufacturer of quality handling equipment for the vegetable and recycling industries, has announced the appointment of Ian Hodgson to the newly created role of Commercial Manager.

Pulsed Electric-Field (PEF) Specialist ELEA has appointed Stefan Toepfl as Managing Director.

Potato grower and manufacturer Farm Frites is launching Extra – a range to satisfy the demand for crispy, coated, tasty chips with greater heat retention.

Worldwide about a third of all food gets lost before it reaches our stomachs. For Swiss potatoes this is even more – half of the total harvest. Which measures can reduce the loss, and what effect do they have?

In the search for unique, customer- and environmentally friendly packaging, German packaging company BayPack Obst, developed a new display box suitable for the sale and storage of potatoes.

McCain Foods (GB) Scarborough has informed its employees it plans to outsource its cold and dry storage needs, putting 74 jobs at risk as a result of closing the current on-site storage.

UK retailer Morrisons has acquired the Carnoustie potato packing plant from Farmcare in a deal which will strengthen the supply of Scottish tubers to the supermarket chain.

Belgian Potato Processing company Lutosa, a subsidiary of McCain Foods, plans the construction of a new french fry line in Leuze-en-Hainaut. The line is expected to be operational early in 2018

El gobierno central elabora un decreto que puede contemplar la prohibición del cultivo de la patata en las zonas afectadas, antes de que la UE prohíba su exportación.

Kettle Foods extends its successful Bites range with two new flavours, Sea Salt & Mixed Peppercorns Wholegrain Waves and Sea Salt & Balsamic Vinegar Wholegrain Waves.

---->Update 2017-01-26: This News Item has been withdrawn by the KU Leuven.....
8,000 native potato varieties of the International Potato Centre (CIP) in Peru will soon join the banana collection of the University of Leuven.