Potato “waste” is fast becoming a strategic asset. This feature maps the main by-product streams in modern potato chains and examines options such as peel-based fibre ingredients, biogas, lactic acid, bioplastics, biochar and nutrient recovery. It highlights economic and equity questions around who benefits from new biorefineries and circular hubs, and outlines practical steps growers and processors can take to turn disposal costs into long-term value.
This article argues that potato farming already embodies many values driving modern ethical farming – humane treatment, climate responsibility and rural dignity – even if growers rarely use that language. It explores how daily decisions in fields and storages align with wider movements like Mercy For Animals’ Transfarmation project, which helps farmers shift from industrial animal systems to plant-based models, and calls for greater solidarity across sectors to widen the circle of care in our food system.
The UK potato market, as reported by Craig Elliott at Expana, is focusing on quality amid significant availability for the 2025/26 season. Prices have declined but recently rose 3.5% for Maris Piper potatoes due to bruising issues. Oversupply and quality scrutiny are leading to market volatility, with growers facing challenges from early sprouting potatoes. Price dynamics may shift as quality concerns evolve.
This article examines how climate change, rising energy costs and grid instability are putting unprecedented pressure on potato storage. It explains why many existing stores were built for a cooler, more predictable world, and how insulation, smarter controls, backups, renewables and new business models are redefining the cold chain. The message is clear: storage is no longer a background cost, but a strategic resilience tool that must be deliberately redesigned.
This article explores how potato storage can make or break a season, showing how heat, wounds and moisture at harvest follow the crop into the pile. It explains curing, airflow, humidity and energy risk in practical terms, and argues that storage is not a cost centre but a strategic resilience tool – one that can quietly turn field-level climate shocks into either manageable challenges or very expensive failures for growers.
This reflective piece explores ‘home’ as more than a physical shelter, but a basic emotional need for humans and animals alike. It traces the gap between housing and true belonging, links farmers’ instinct to “bring potatoes home” into safe storage with our shared longing to be protected, expected, loved, and genuinely claimed somewhere. It invites readers to notice and gently protect that need in themselves and others in families, communities, and daily life.
This article traces how baby potatoes evolved from incidental “smalls” into a deliberately bred, tightly specified premium segment. It explains the small-at-maturity ideotype, tougher agronomy and handling, cautious use of marker-assisted selection, and the economics of “tonnes in band”. It also explores packaging, branding, and multi-channel demand from retail, foodservice, and meal kits, arguing that small potatoes now test the industry’s ability to run high-value, disciplined, system-based programs worldwide today.
Efforts are underway to increase women’s roles in potato breeding, transforming the field with diverse perspectives. Traditionally dominated by men, women’s contributions are now recognized, as they possess valuable insights regarding traits that matter to household cooking and nutrition. Initiatives like the Women in Potato Breeding platform aim to uplift female breeders, enhancing gender-responsive breeding practices. This shift not only benefits equality but also ensures breeding aligns better with the needs of farmers and consumers.
Emerald Research has rescheduled its live on-farm review of the 2025 UK potato season to Wednesday, 10 December at 12:30 pm UK time. This free event will feature the OptiYield 2025 Potato Farm Report, including live links to commercial farms. A panel led by Simon Fox will analyze agronomy decisions amidst challenging conditions, with insights for 2026. Registration is required, and a recording will be provided to attendees.
Project Oppotunity, involving 12 European organizations, has successfully conducted its initial field trials for starch potatoes edited with CRISPR-Cas technology to enhance resistance to late blight. Conducted in Sweden and Denmark, these trials demonstrated the potential of new genetic technologies for improving potato varieties. Larger trials planned for 2026 aim to evaluate resistance and performance, highlighting the urgency of developing sustainable solutions for European starch potato production amidst evolving environmental challenges.
Global potato production hit 383 million tonnes in 2023, predominantly in Asia. Fertilizer costs and extreme climate events threaten yields, prompting a shift towards sustainable practices. Farmers are urged to rely less on synthetic fertilizers, instead using organic and crop-derived sources to enhance soil health. Regions are adapting methods, blending tradition with innovation, and exploring biofertilizers and cover crops to balance fertility needs while maintaining productivity and quality standards.
McCain Foods has agreed to acquire Penobscot McCrum, a specialty potato processor in Maine, focusing on its modern Washburn processing plant. This 115,000-square-foot facility, valued at over $32 million, specializes in premium frozen potato products and employs around 130 individuals. Though processing operations will be managed by McCain, the McCrum family’s farming business will remain independent under a long-term supply agreement, enhancing McCain’s North American presence.
Potato traceability is maturing, but value depends on execution, not buzzwords. Most gains come from standards-led, batch-level tracking using GS1/EPCIS and cloud platforms; blockchain adds weight mainly when retailers mandate consumer-facing transparency. Benefits include faster, narrower recalls, better supplier performance data, and selective brand trust. Costs, data quality, and network coordination remain hurdles. Expect QR codes on processed SKUs, with fresh supply chains prioritizing behind-the-scenes interoperability rather than item-level traceability.
The recent RUCIP webinar attracted about 65 participants from various sectors, focusing on updates regarding European potato trade rules for 2025. Organized by the National German RUCIP Committee, it highlighted the need for fair trading practices. Key features of the 2025 revision include legal clarity and streamlined processes. Expert insights and a Q&A session enriched the discussion, emphasizing continuous professional training for industry stakeholders.