The measure of what remains: Finding grace in what time leaves behind Lukie Pieterse reflects on profound life lessons derived from health challenges shared by his friend Kevin O'Neill. The essence of gratitude and joy transforms through adversity, revealing the importance of recognizing simple,…

FAM STUMABO extends global footprint to enhance local service and customer support FAM STUMABO is expanding its international operations with new facilities in Spain, Germany, and the United States, emphasizing localized service and growth. The new sites, including a headquarters in Franklin,…

Lay’s launches new brand identity and ingredient overhaul to spotlight the potato at its core Lay’s, owned by PepsiCo, has revealed its most significant redesign in 90 years, focusing on ingredient transparency and celebrating its agricultural roots. The brand has modernized its logo and packaging…

Report: Strong growth in global potato sector through 2032, fueled by changing tariffs, expanding processed product demand A global analysis reveals that tariffs, technology, and sustainability pressure are driving innovation in potato markets. ResearchAndMarkets.com forecasts the market's growth…

Mixed yields and contract reliance define Ireland and Europe’s 2025 potato season The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) indicates a stable potato market, highlighted by improved sales for packing quality potatoes amid quality concerns and limited free-buy activity. While many growers face…

When the hand that could harm chooses to spare: The spade, the vole, and the moment we choose mercy When longtime reader Kevin O’Neill uncovered a vole’s nest while gardening, he paused instead of striking — a moment of mercy that changed how he viewed life around him. His reflection inspired this…

Australia: Infected seed was imported from Tasmania prior to current biosecurity measures  Potato seed in a Victorian cold storage have tested positive for the potato mop-top virus (PMTV). Imported from Tasmania before new regulations, the seeds are confirmed unplanted, thus maintaining Victoria's…

New fact sheet highlights role of soil testing in carbon sequestration and soil health The Farm Carbon Toolkit's fact sheet highlights the importance of soil testing for assessing soil health and carbon storage in farming. It emphasizes that healthy soils act as vital carbon sinks and promotes…

Science in action: European experts unite online to advance wireworm research and control strategies The 2nd European Wireworm Research Network Workshop is scheduled for 9 October 2025, focusing on innovative solutions for managing wireworm pests impacting European crops. The online event will…

From ash to abundance: How mulching is reviving potato fields in Peru In the Andean highlands, farmers traditionally burn crop residues post-harvest, harming soil and air quality. However, in La Libertad, Peru, they're adopting mulching, covering fields with straw to retain moisture, suppress…

‘Food for Tomorrow’: National Geographic Society and PepsiCo launch new program focused on regenerative agriculture Last month, the National Geographic Society and PepsiCo launched the Food for Tomorrow program, focusing on regenerative agriculture to inspire change in the global food system. With…

Lamb Weston opens state-of-the-art frozen French fry production facility in Argentina to supply Latin America Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. has officially opened a 40,000-square-meter production facility in Mar del Plata, Argentina, dedicated to premium frozen potato products. This state-of-the-art…

Webinar: New RUCIP 2025 rules to modernize European potato trade framework from October 2025 The revised RUCIP 2025 framework aims to enhance transparency, legal clarity, and efficiency in Europe's potato trade, effective from October 1, 2025. This updated version, created through collaboration…

AI in the potato cellar: Predicting pressure bruise, sugar ends, sprout breaks and more before they happen Sensors and machine learning are enhancing potato storage management by enabling predictive control to prevent quality loss, reducing energy expenses and downgrades. Key focus areas include…

PepsiCo acquires Australian seed potato producer Dowling AgriTech PepsiCo has acquired Australian seed potato business Dowling AgriTech (DAT) to enhance its relationships with potato growers, secure seed supply, and foster innovation. This strategic acquisition reinforces PepsiCo’s investment in…

Aussies hit with nationwide potato shortage after ‘toughest season’ in a decade Australia is experiencing a potato shortage due to one of the most challenging growing seasons in a decade, as reported by Yashee Sharma for 9News. Adverse weather conditions have severely impacted crop yields,…

Clarebout Potatoes’ staff strike over bonuses linked to JR Simplot takeover A strike at Belgium’s Clarebout Potatoes, now in the midst of a US-based JR Simplot takeover, has reached its fifth day. The industrial action, which began on October 2, revolves around bonus disputes following acquisition…

Renowned UK potato agronomist crowned Arable Adviser of the Year Veteran agronomist John Sarup has been awarded Farmers Weekly’s 2025 Arable Adviser of the Year for his over 40 years of service to the UK potato sector. Based in East Yorkshire, he co-founded Spud Agronomy & Consultancy, advising on…

New report: Processing demand and climate-smart innovation fuel global potato market growth through 2030 Mordor Intelligence’s latest Global Potato Market report values the sector at USD 120 billion in 2025, projecting growth to USD 145 billion by 2030 at a 3.9% CAGR. The analysis highlights…

The day a fragile, disabled little girl taught me the simple joy of feeling the sun: A haunting memory that still humbles me after fifty years As a young social-work student, Lukie Pieterse witnessed a blind, deaf, and mute little girl discover pure joy in a shaft of sunlight — a moment so simple…

Flooded fields, uncertain harvests: Punjab’s potato belt faces a delayed season after devastating floods Severe flooding in Pakistan's Punjab province has inundated agricultural land, jeopardizing seed stocks and delaying crucial potato planting. Reports indicate that 1.3–1.8 million acres are…

The mouse, the potato, and the measure of mercy: Reflections on the fragile grace of living things A quiet morning encounter with a tiny mouse leads to a meditation on the timeless ethic live, and let live. Through reflections on human dignity, nature’s balance, and the rhythms of potato farming,…

Potato Newswire Today: Weather, markets, oversupply issues and more – a tumultuous season for the global potato industry The potato industry faces diverse challenges globally. In Ireland, bruising risks threaten the 2025 harvest amid a dry summer. Rwanda's innovative 'sandponic technology'…

Spore-trapping program helps Alberta potato growers fight late blight The Potato Growers of Alberta has successfully implemented its Insect Monitoring and Spore Trapping Program since 2014, significantly reducing the impact of blight threats during potato-growing seasons. This proactive…

U.S. seed potato exports on the rise: Potatoes USA highlights growth and market access gains U.S. seed potato exports are witnessing significant growth, with a 61% increase from 2024 to 2025. Key developments include successful trials in Cuba, Central America, and new market opportunities in…

Beyond Europe: The new geography of French fries trade The global French fries trade is evolving, with rising demand fueled by urbanization and fast-food growth. While Europe and North America maintain strong consumption, emerging economies like Saudi Arabia and Brazil are seeing dynamic…

Royal HZPC Group announces acquisition of IPM Potato Group Royal HZPC Group announced plans to acquire IPM Potato Group, a top potato breeder and exporter based in Ireland, enhancing its global seed potato presence. Established in 1950, IPM leads in seed potato production and exports to 40…

Record EU-04 potato harvest raises concerns of oversupply, NEPG warns The North European Potato Growers (NEPG) warn of a potential supply crisis in 2025 due to a record harvest in the EU-04 region, driven by significant planting increases. Total plantings reached 608,000 hectares, with a forecast…

Emerald Packaging and Walmart launch new 30% PCR potato bag in partnership with Idaho Package and Wada Farms Emerald Packaging and Walmart have introduced a pioneering packaging solution for the potato industry, featuring 30% post-consumer recycled (PCR) content. Developed with Idaho Package and…

Global potato market shift: Europe’s oversupply, North America’s contract dDiscipline, and Asia’s rise as a frozen-fry powerhouse The global potato industry is experiencing significant change in 2025, with record acreage in the EU and increased exports from China, India, and Egypt reshaping supply…

Signals from the potato fry industry: Lamb Weston delivers volume gains but faces rising costs Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. reported mixed results for Q1 of fiscal 2026, with net sales of US$1.66 billion, flat year-over-year. While global volumes rose 6 percent, profit margins faced strain due to a…

Dutch chef wins world title for authentic French fries in France Dutch chef Siem van Bruggen won the title for the world's "most authentic" French fries at the international chip competition in Arras, France, on September 27. He is the first non-French chef to achieve this distinction. Van…

Cooking oil turned into snack packaging in Australia-first trial Snackbrands Australia has launched a trial converting used cooking oil into plastic packaging, partnering with Viva Energy’s Geelong refinery. The project processed 120 tonnes of oil into 100 tonnes of bio-based plastic, producing…

From Ireland’s famine to Gaza’s hunger: Why the global potato industry must fight Israel’s starvation genocide of a defenseless people In Gaza, a genocide unfolds as Israel's military campaigns violently annihilate Palestinian life, predominantly affecting women and children. The death toll,…

‘Sensor meets spud’: Smartphone CRISPR tests for early blight diagnosis in the field A new smartphone-integrated system combining RPA amplification, Cas12a detection, and easy readouts can rapidly identify early blight (Alternaria solani) in potatoes, significantly improving field diagnostics.…

‘Heat, drought, deluge’: Europe’s 2025 climate shock – extremes redraw potato risk maps Europe’s 2025 growing season proved brutally disruptive for potatoes, with record heat, entrenched drought, and sudden cloudbursts reshaping yields and quality across key regions. As Lukie Pieterse notes in…

Food, climate, or power? Why is Bill Gates buying up American farmland on a massive scale? Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, has become the largest private owner of agricultural land in the U.S., amassing over 100,000 hectares across 19 states through his investment vehicle, Cascade Investment.…

Envita Dry: Nitrogen-fixing breakthrough now available for Canadian growers Syngenta Canada has launched Envita Dry, a nitrogen-fixing biological product designed to enhance crop yields through a convenient dry formulation featuring the bacteria Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus. With a two-year…

Canada: Ontario potato growers optimistic despite earlier weather challenges Despite challenging weather conditions, Ontario's potato harvest is better than last year, though it remains below the five-year average. Quinton Woods from Gwillimdale Farms highlights improvements in crop quality, with…

Tariffs, inputs and export risk: U.S. potato growers brace for hard tTimes In 2025, U.S. potato growers are squeezed by soaring input costs and shrinking export opportunities as tariffs reshape global trade. Oregon faces direct cost pass-throughs, Colorado risks a 14% export drop, and Idaho warns…

A record harvest in 25 years has led to a collapse of potato prices in Germany. But not in Belarus In Germany, potato prices have significantly decreased due to a record harvest, with 13.4 million tons expected in 2025, marking a 5.3% increase from the previous year and 17% above the average.…

‘Always available’: Irish farmers remind retailers of steady domestic potato supply, saying ‘imports unnecessary’ The Irish Farmers’ Association is pressing supermarkets to prioritize homegrown potatoes, with chair Sean Ryan confirming talks already underway with Tesco. Growers emphasize that…

New PCN-resistant potato varieties mark a milestone in Kenya’s fight against soil-borne pests and support regional food security Kenya has introduced new potato varieties, Malaika and Glen, to combat potato cyst nematodes (PCN) that threaten yields. Developed through international collaboration,…

2025 China-Dingxi Potato Conference showcases potato industry innovation The 2025 China·Dingxi Potato Conference showcased the potato industry's potential for innovation and growth. Held in Anding District, the event promoted the development of a national potato hub, emphasizing Dingxi's…

Gujarat’s frozen fries boom: Transforming India into a potato export powerhouse Gujarat’s Mehsana district has become a vital center for India’s frozen potato exports, contributing to a ninefold increase to ₹1,817 crore in FY25. Companies like Hyfun Foods and contract farming support economic…

Large US potato crop, low prices expected to keep demand for Canadian imports low U.S. demand for Canadian table potatoes may decrease due to a large U.S. crop and low prices, with Canadian production projected at 122.2 million cwt in 2025, 4.7% less than 2024. In Michigan, average yields for chip…

Potato prices in South Africa to reach a low after big increase in plantings, favourable growing conditions Potatoes are currently abundant on the South African market, resulting in deflationary prices compared to the same period last year, David Nel of GROW Fresh market agency told FreshPlaza.…

The vanishing dormancy: Genetic breakthroughs to extend potato storage without chemicals Researchers from Cranfield University, PepsiCo, and Solynta are working on extending potato dormancy without chemicals like CIPC, writes Lukie Pieterse in this article. Their project focuses on understanding…

Kenya moves on blight-resistant GM potatoes as regulators outline path to market Kenyan scientists, led by KALRO, are developing genetically modified potatoes resistant to late blight, a significant threat to crops and farmers' livelihoods. They have inserted resistance genes into popular…

Simplot’s contract price cuts to farmers and imported frozen fries threaten future of Tasmania’s potato growers Farmers in Tasmania's potato industry are facing a potential 39% profit decline due to supermarkets opting for cheaper foreign supplies and a price cut from Simplot Australia. As import…