Potatoes Without Borders

Latest Global Potato News

Restrain announces new Managing Director for Latin America

December 1, 2025

Restrain announces the appointment of Mr. Gonzalo Caldiz as Managing Director for Latin America, reinforcing its commitment to regional growers and partners. With over 18 years in agribusiness, Caldiz leads all commercial and operational activities, focusing on sustainable, chemical-free solutions. His experience and leadership are expected to enhance Restrain’s presence and service quality in Latin America, supporting innovation in post-harvest management and collaboration with Agrical Cono Sur S.A.

New UNECE standards strengthen international trade framework for seed potatoes and other produce

December 1, 2025

Since its inception in 1949, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
(UNECE) Working Party on Agricultural Quality Standards has created over 120 quality standards for various agricultural products. Recently, revised standards for seed potatoes and other items were adopted, crucial for enhancing global trade. The updated seed potato standard improves certification processes, disease control, and traceability. This revision aims to boost productivity and food security.

First Choice Foods in Nepal targets UK, Japan and Australia for frozen fries exports

December 1, 2025

First Choice Foods Ltd, based in Rupandehi, is set to expand its French fry exports from the US to the UK, Australia, and Japan by early 2026. Founded by Krishna Prasad Paudel, the company produces premium potato products under the Himalayan Crisp brand. To enhance production, it is collaborating with 35,000 farmers across 26 districts, providing training in potato cultivation and production techniques.

Coal, gas, wind, and fries: Inside the global potato industry’s quiet energy transition

November 28, 2025

This article explores how the shift from old energy – coal, oil, gas – to new energy – wind, solar, biomass, biogas – is reshaping the potato industry from field to fryer. It explains how fossil fuel dependence drives fertilizer, irrigation, storage and processing costs, and highlights examples of renewables and efficiency upgrades that cut risk, emissions and volatility while strengthening resilience and competitiveness across the global potato supply chain.

Pressure remains on European fry prices, but nothing dramatic

November 27, 2025

French fry exports from EU-27 countries fell 5% in September 2025, totaling 148,500 tonnes, attributing significant drops to the UK and Asian markets. Conversely, African exports increased by 30%. Price pressure intensified; the average cost declined to €1,115 per tonne, a 10% drop. Notably, France saw a 12% export increase due to higher production capacity, while Belgium’s figures fell 5.8% over the year.

Quiet sheds, high stakes: How smart post-harvest storage protects potato yields

November 25, 2025

This article explores what happens to potatoes after the last trailer leaves the field and why post-harvest storage is now one of the industry’s most critical disciplines. It unpacks early priorities around heat and moisture, curing, airflow, temperature and hygiene, before turning to hotspot management, changing sprout control options, people and safety, and the growing role of digital tools – all aimed at protecting yield quietly sitting in the store.

Head, heart and hectares: Why farmer mindset may be the potato industry’s biggest yield driver

November 25, 2025

This feature explores how farmer mindset is becoming a decisive yield driver in modern potato systems, alongside soil, climate and genetics. It shows how curiosity, small experiments, data use, collaboration and a healthier relationship with failure help growers adapt to volatility and hand farms to the next generation. By linking head, heart and hectares, it argues that inner resilience is now as critical as agronomy for long-term success.

University of Idaho to Host 58th Annual Idaho Potato Conference in Pocatello

November 25, 2025

The 58th annual Idaho Potato Conference will take place on January 21-22 at Idaho State University, focusing on water management and soilborne diseases. The event attracts industry professionals and features over 70 vendors. Key presentations will include updates from various potato organizations and sessions led by new University of Idaho faculty on water-related research. A mini-symposium on soilborne diseases is also scheduled.

From gut feel to good data: The quiet digital shift in potato fields and storages

November 24, 2025

This feature explores how potato growers worldwide are quietly adopting digital tools – from yield maps and late blight decision support to smart storage sensors and emerging AI analytics. Rather than replacing intuition, these systems act as a second opinion, sharpening decisions in fields and storages while highlighting real barriers like connectivity, cost and data ownership. The result is a gradual, global shift from gut feel to good data, with farmer judgement still in charge.

Rising prices, shifting trade: EU frozen potato market edges higher as demand, trade and prices climb

November 24, 2025

IndexBox’s latest report shows the European Union frozen potato market continuing to grow steadily through 2035, with modest volume gains but stronger value growth driven by higher prices. Germany, France and the Netherlands lead consumption, while Belgium and the Netherlands dominate production and exports. Romania emerges as the fastest-growing market. Trade volumes remain high and both import and export prices hit record levels in 2024, with further increases expected.

Mashed, baked, remembered: Potatoes on the Thanksgiving table

November 23, 2025

Potatoes may look like a simple side dish on the Thanksgiving table, but they carry a much larger story. This reflective piece traces the journey from field and storage to the bowl of mash at the centre of the meal, exploring tradition, comfort, affordability and labour along the way. It argues that potatoes quietly hold the plate – and often the family – together, embodying resilience, continuity and everyday gratitude.

Potato processing power: How China’s emerging industry could reshape the world of fries and chips

November 23, 2025

A new review in the journal Foods by a team of Chinese scientists maps the global potato-processing industry through a Chinese lens. It contrasts high-processing regions in Europe and North America with China’s fast-growing but still underdeveloped sector. The authors detail product streams, technology gaps, sustainability pressures and policy drivers, arguing that automation, branding and greener processing will decide who captures future value in fries, chips, flakes and starch.

When the weather turns hostile: How climate change is supercharging potato pests and diseases

November 23, 2025

Heat, humidity and shifting weather patterns are reshaping the pest and disease risk map for potatoes. Warmer seasons mean more insect generations, changing late and early blight windows, and the spread of “southern” threats like zebra chip, tuber moth and bacterial wilt into new regions. The article explores how these pressures collide in fields and storages, and how growers are adapting with scouting, varieties, storage design and climate risk management.

Holding the line: How potato growers stay grounded in an uncertain world

November 23, 2025

Potato growers face intense uncertainty from markets, climate, policy and emotional strain, yet they keep showing up season after season. This reflective essay explores how potatoes act as an anchor in a shifting world, how growers manage risk, lean on community and quietly redraw the lines they can no longer hold. It highlights the quiet courage of staying grounded, protecting core values and carrying on with integrity through hard years.

Our Vision and Mission

Potatoes Without Borders envisions a future where the potato stands as a symbol of innovation, sustainability, and shared progress — a crop whose potential in both food and industrial realms is fully realized through global collaboration and creative discovery.

Our mission is to unite and inspire potato professionals, researchers, and enthusiasts who see beyond the familiar, and who are committed to unlocking the potato’s underexplored power. Together, we aim to cultivate a more sustainable world that embraces the potato as both nourishment and resource for transformative change.