National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles expressed that current government aid is inadequate for specialty crop growers facing high input costs and low market prices. He noted that while the USDA is making efforts, the resources available fall short, with specialty crops needing around $5 billion amid expectations of receiving only $1 billion. Industry groups are collaborating with Congress to seek more support linked to upcoming legislation.
A farm in Saxony, Germany has 4,000 tons of potatoes left unsold after a trader misjudged market demand, resulting in a surplus. Although the financial transactions were completed, the potatoes could not be sold. Now, efforts are underway to prevent waste, with the first truckload heading to Berlin for free distribution, organized in partnership with Ecosia and Berliner Morgenpost. Registration for collection has ended.
The global French fries market has shifted dramatically, with Asia increasingly dominating due to falling prices and rapidly growing production in countries like China and India. Traditional producers in the US and Northwest Europe face challenges as low-cost exporters capture market share and average import prices in Asia decline. Despite overall robust demand for frozen potato products, structural overproduction in Europe and competitive pricing pressures complicate the landscape, prompting adaptations from established manufacturers.
FPS Food Process Solutions, in collaboration with GEM Equipment of Oregon, has introduced the GEM VersaFry, an innovative fryer designed for the snack and appetizer market. The VersaFry emphasizes safety, durability, and precision frying capabilities, accommodating various food products. Key features include an adjustable conveyor, easy sanitation access, and oil temperature management. This fryer aims to deliver low ownership costs and exceptional support within major food processing plants.
Urschel will attend the California League of Food Producers Food Processing Expo in Sacramento, California, February 4 – 5, 2026, showcasing two cutting systems for food processors: the DiversaCut 2110A Dicer with built-in discharge conveyor and the KRONEN GS 10-2 Slicer. Urschel says the DiversaCut supports continuous, high-capacity slicing, dicing, stripping and shredding, while the KRONEN unit offers gentle, adjustable cutting and washdown-friendly stainless design.
FPS Food Process Solutions is expanding globally, targeting the food manufacturing and technology market. In January 2026, FPS MEA will open a logistics center in Morocco, while GEM Equipment in Oregon is renovating its facility, expected to be completed by Spring 2026. Other expansions include locations in Brazil, China, and Europe, enhancing FPS’s capacity to innovate and advance food manufacturing by the end of 2026.
Thirty years after launching an early potato-industry website in 1996, Lukie Pieterse reflects on how the World Wide Web evolved into today’s always-on digital world – and how the potato community grew with it. The piece traces the shift from scarcity to information overload, arguing that trust, accuracy, and usefulness matter more than ever. At its core is a human story: friendships, mentorships, hard seasons, and a new generation inheriting both powerful tools and bigger responsibilities.
Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. is closing its Munro, Argentina plant to consolidate production at a modern facility in Mar del Plata, enhancing operational efficiency and profitability. Approximately 100 affected employees will receive severance. Additionally, a production line in the Netherlands will be temporarily curtailed. These moves align with the company’s Focus to Win strategy, focusing on market prioritization and strengthening customer partnerships.
FAO’s FAOSTAT year-end update (dated December 31, 2025) adds fresh 2024 potato totals that show steady global growth. World production rose to 390.4 million tonnes (+0.95%) as harvested area edged up to 17.08 million hectares (+0.49%), lifting average yield slightly. Asia remained dominant with 52.6% of output. Europe increased production despite a small area decline, while Africa’s output dipped marginally as area expanded.
The National Potato Council says its Executive Committee unanimously approved a December 19, 2025 resolution asking the U.S. Trade Representative to launch a Section 332 fact-finding investigation into Canadian potato trade practices. NPC points to British Columbia’s more-than-40-year measure limiting U.S. potato exports – mainly from Washington – and says recent enhancements have caused millions in reported losses. The council also cites Midwest grower concerns about subsidies.
A provisionally accepted Frontiers in Plant Science paper introduces PotatoGuardNet, an AI framework for potato leaf disease detection that both pinpoints suspect areas on leaves and classifies disease type. Using PlantVillage potato images, the authors report 99.41% accuracy and an mAP of 0.9556, plus heatmaps to explain model decisions. The research highlights the promise of faster, more consistent scouting support, while underscoring the need for real-world field validation.
After a year of sustained inquiry and reflection, a clear pattern has emerged: the potato industry is changing not only in practice, but in how it thinks. This editorial explores how deeper questions – around people, ethics, resilience, and legacy – are reshaping industry discourse. It argues that maturity lies not in having all the answers, but in asking the right questions at the right time.
Potato buyers already influence how potatoes are grown through contracts, sustainability scorecards, and incentive programs – but animal welfare still sits mostly outside potato procurement. This article explores how “humane-linked” practices could realistically enter potato supply chains through paid add-ons tied to measurable, verifiable actions such as wildlife-safe agronomy, safer rodent control, responsible amendment sourcing, and transition support. Key 2026 signals include new payment triggers, practical verification, and transparent reporting.
In 2026, the potato sector’s 2025 momentum will be tested by real-world execution. Key watchpoints include whether new processing capacity builds durable grower confidence through fair contracts and technical support; whether storage modernization improves quality, energy efficiency, and safety; and whether sustainability measurement becomes practical and beneficial for farmers.
