Potato News from United Kingdom

PARENTS who struggle to get little ones to eat any veg might want to head down to Iceland as it's going to be selling UNICORN-shaped potato pieces. The crispy treats have been created by McCain and will be sold exclusively in store and online at Iceland.

Leading potato and vegetable handling equipment manufacturer, and sponsor of the BP2019 British Potato exhibition, Tong Engineering, will be kickstarting its 90th Anniversary celebrations at the UK’s largest biannual potato event in November.

Walkers' highly divisive Brussels sprouts crisps are hitting the shelves again in a blatant attempt to ruin Christmas. The crisp giant announced the return after claiming they had received requests 'all year round' from fans.

Spud lovers are being given back a store in Norfolk after closing in August - after the business was rescued by potato giant firm Albert Bartlett.

The total 2019 planted Great Britain area (revised estimate) is 118.95K ha. This updated estimate puts the area 1% higher than last year and represents the GB area covered by over 90% of producers.

Haith is set to innovate the transfer of delicate produce in pack houses and factories with the introduction of its patent-pending Pro-Flow Transfer Chute.

Chinese delegation confirms UK seed potato exports to the world's most populous country won't be affected either Brexit outcome. British seed potatoes will continue to be accepted by Chinese customs whatever the outcome of Brexit, according to AHDB.

The Lincolnshire Agricultural Equipment Manufacturer Scotts, which manufactures a range of vegetable harvesting machinery, celebrated its Silver anniversary on 11th September.

The first of Tong Engineering’s latest Fieldloader machine, the FieldLoad PRO, is proving to bring a dramatic reduction in loading times at one of the UK’s larger vegetable producers and processors; MH Poskitt Ltd.

The fresh chipping sector makes up about 12% of total potato production in Great Britain. The market follows season trends with demand driven by chip shop footfall throughout the year.

GIC will mark its 20th appearance at British Potato by showcasing the 300th fresh produce machine to roll off its production line.

Haith Group will unveil its 2020 Washer and Destoner at British Potato 2019. Visitors to Haith's stand at the Harrogate event will be the first to see the new design.

Scotts Precision Manufacturing is aiming to finish its record-breaking year in style with its largest-ever presence at British Potato 2019. The Lincolnshire manufacturer of vegetable harvesting equipment will have two stands at the Harrogate show.

Excited about their new product, Crispifarms prepares to share with the world, the most succulent banana chip yet. The all-natural, long-cut banana chips are coming to the Specialty Fine Food Fair at Olympia London in Hammersmith, London.

Red Tractor are looking for industry feedback on potential changes to the Safe Haven Standards, the seed potato assurance scheme.

Scientists discover wild potatoes key for stronger spuds.

In the United Kingdom, restrictions on the use of products containing Maleic Hydrazide (MH) - used to control volunteers and to suppress sprouting during storage - have been removed following a review by the Chemicals Regulation Division (CRD) of the HSE.

Recent research at the James Hutton Institute suggests that limited genetic differences in potato lineages has left British and American spuds vulnerable to late blight, the disease that caused the Irish potato famine.