Potatoes
All the news and market analysis for worldwide potato Industry, including potato growers, potato production, and the import and export of potatoes.
Spain’s January-July imports climb in volume and value
Country imported 2.87mn tonnes of fresh produce in the first seven months, with rising tomato and pepper volumes drawing concern from Fepex
UK reliant on drought-risk areas, report warns
Much of the UK’s production of essential crops, including cereals and potatoes, is concentrated in areas facing moderate to very high drought risk, Rebalance Earth cautions
Spain’s fresh produce export value rises 6 per cent
Spanish fresh produce exports reached 7.5mn tonnes in the January-July period, down 1 per cent in volume but up 6 per cent in value to €12.04bn
Drought hits Spanish potato harvest
Industry association Asonal announced plans to beef up its structure to better defend the interests of the sector
European potato harvest hit by extreme weather
Heatwaves and drought lead to smaller potatoes across Europe, as some growers momentarily turn to last year’s glut to cushion the market
Downward trend for Spanish fresh produce consumption
New data processed by industry body Fepex reveals household fresh produce consumption slipped to 3.25mn tonnes in the first half of 2026
Fylde Fresh and Fabulous secures investment from Chiltern Capital
Preston-based potato processor joins Burgess Farms as part of investor’s UK fresh produce group
Sainsbury’s offer half-price fruit and veg for Bank Holiday weekend
Bank Holiday promotion first of four consecutive weekend offers supporting customers during Back to School season
CNIPT asks for realism on potato sales
France’s national potato organisation calls for sales strategies to adapt to account for Europe’s declining acreage and the impact of a summer of heatwaves
Nanna Tate launches microwaveable baby potatoes
Branston potato brand launch ‘Buttery Tates’, responding to demand for convenience, easy prep and new flavour profiles
GAIN-RT uses AI to accelerate potato variety development
A new international research initiative aims to speed up the delivery of improved potato varieties to farmers facing climate and pest and disease pressure
Andy Burnham visits potato farm to announce new drought funding
The PM joined farming minister Stephen Morgan and NFU president Tom Bradshaw at Cornish grower FG Pryor & Son to announce new support for farmers, including £15mn for reservoirs
Drought expected to shrink English potato yields
Heatwaves and drought conditions are likely to reduce yields and tuber size of the English potato crop, while Scotland could still see average harvest due to higher rainfall
Branston funds summer cookery classes for kids
Support for summer holiday clubs in Lincolnshire helps replace free school meals and teach basic cooking skills
Potato growers urged to submit CIPC residue samples
CIPC Residues Monitoring Group encourages fresh sector to participate in potato monitoring programme as one in seven stores still return detectable sprout inhibitor residue
Wilson’s Country trials low-carbon potato production
County Armagh potato packer and processor begins trials using digestate as sustainable crop fertiliser
Spain’s fresh produce imports climb once more
New customs data processed by Fepex reveals growth in Spanish fresh produce imports during January-May 2026, with fruit volumes surging 8 per cent
Veg prices hit the roof in Russia
Staple vegetables have become more costly for Russian consumers this year, with Ukrainian intelligence estimating an increase of 56 per cent on an average basket
Albert Bartlett teams up with Supertato to drive family appeal
UK’s leading potato producer partners with children’s superhero for on-pack promotion offering themed prizes
Jersey Cover Crop Comp offers regen case study for UK farmers to follow
Competition returns for third year to provide evidence‑based case study of how cover cropping can benefit the environment in commercial potato production
Spanish fresh produce imports rise 6.2 per cent in early 2026
New Fepex data reveals Spain’s fresh produce imports reached 1.75mn tonnes between January and April 2026, up 6.2 per cent year-on-year
Longer potato rotations boost yields and disease resistance
British growers are benefiting from longer potato-based rotations that help improve economic performance and reduce disease pressure, finds new report from GB Potatoes
McCain celebrates 2026 graduates of internal training programme
UK’s largest frozen potato producer celebrated the graduation of 18 apprentices from its Manufacturing Academy on 3 July
Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan takes full ownership of Mitolo Family Farms
Equity sale coincides with Frank Mitolo’s planned transition to retirement
Branston promotes Tom Seagrief ahead of capex delivery
Potato supplier’s general manager for prepared has been promoted with additional remit across added value to drive business growth and deliver upcoming capital investment programme
French potato sector clears path for 2026 harvest
Surplus potato volumes from last year’s record harvest in France are set to be shifted quickly, as the French sector works together to prepare the market for the new season
First Comber Earlies arrive in stores
Season begins ahead of schedule in Northern Ireland following “fairly kind” growing season to date
Albert Bartlett teams up with Andy Murray for on-pack promotion
Limited-edition packs give shoppers chance to win signed tennis memorabilia and two-night stay at Andy and Kim Murray’s hotel in Scotland
Mislabelling issue returns, as Israeli settlements under scrutiny
The EU Commission is set to propose ways to restrict trade with Israeli settlements, as new report sheds light on scale of problem on European markets
From tomatoes to cannabis: Jersey’s green ambitions
Fred Searle explores the sector growth and market potential for medical cannabis in the Channel Island, drawing comparisons with glasshouse vegetable production and the famous Jersey Royal
Greenvale MD David Rankin to step back
Major potato supplier has announced a leadership transition and interim structure as Rankin departs to pursue new opportunities after more than 30 years with the company
The question for UK growers today is: ’What can I grow that will not make a loss?’
Nationwide Produce chairman Tim O’Malley reflects on major challenges for growers and government as potato producers are forced to dump large volumes of crop amid overproduction in Europe
Greenvale’s premium potato brand listed at Sainsbury’s
Golden Kings is now available at Sainsbury’s after years of consistent growth and successfully appealing to younger shoppers
Birds Eye owner invests £2.2mn in new potato line
Nomad Foods said its investment is a sign of commitment to UK food manufacturering and responds to consumer demand for waffles and other frozen vegetables
Albert Bartlett to help fund Fera aphid monitoring in potatoes
Strengthened partnership comes in response to ‘exceptionally high’ aphid pressure in seed potato plantings and will include funded traps in Scotland and Jersey to support long-running monitoring programme