There is no guarantee of a repeat of last year’s very low late blight pressure season in 2026 and vigilance is vital in controlling disease, the audience at a GB Potatoes seminar at the British Potato Industry Event heard. “2025 was very unusual; it was incredibly dry with very low blight pressure which led to…
GB Potatoes has celebrated the creativity of fourth-year students at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) after judging a series of marketing campaigns developed as part of the agricultural communications module within the college’s agricultural degree. The project challenged students to create a campaign promoting “The Whole Potato” on behalf of GB Potatoes, the industry body representing the entire potato supply chain. The brief followed a guest…
A vibrant and focused seed industry is essential to the British potato industry, visitors to the British Potato Event heard. Introducing the GB Potatoes seminar Future changes to the UK’s supply of seed potatoes, Richard Baker, Managing Director of breeders HZPC UK described the scale of the British potato seed industry. “There are between 14,000…
Close co-operation with potato packing and processing companies is helping growers develop new varieties that are meeting the demands of consumer for more resilient and nutritious potatoes. In this special GB Potatoes feature, we find out more. Andrew Francis has been a fan of the collaborative approach for years and continues to use it in…
Delivered in partnership with the British Potato Trade Association (BPTA), the three-part programme responds to a clear gap in structured training for people building careers across the potato supply chain
Pressure on the British potato market persists with adequate home supplies and large volumes in Europe weighing on the market. By Cedric Porter Latest potato free-buy prices are less than half what they were a year ago, with Potato Call quoting the best Maris Piper at £180/tonne – a year ago similar potatoes were fetching…
Maris Piper has had its day; or has it? That was the provocative title of a GB Potatoes debate at the British Potato Industry Event. Arguing that the stalwart’s days are numbered was Katy Pook, Head of Brand & Marketing at Greenvale. She touched on Maris Piper’s near 70-year history saying it was bred to…
Dogged determination. They would be the two words to sum up the recent US Potato Expo. By Cedric Porter, editor World Potato Markets The event in Dallas, Texas, was held against a backdrop of political uncertainty including tariffs, fractious international relationships and crackdowns on migrant labour. The Trump administration had given farmers near record support…
GB Potatoes has launched a new Potato Industry Confidence Survey to capture a comprehensive picture of grower sentiment, production trends and the factors shaping the future of the potato sector across Great Britain.
The survey is designed not only to measure confidence, but also to gather detailed information on the hectares of potatoes being grown, providing the first consistent, nationwide benchmark of production levels across the industry. This insight will help GB Potatoes, the industry, and government understand the scale, distribution and operational realities of potato cultivation, alongside growers’ business confidence and the environmental and market challenges they face.
Scott Walker, CEO of GB Potatoes, said: GB Potatoes welcomes the publication of the Farm Profitability Review, led by Baroness Minette Batters, which highlights the importance of a supportive business environment for farmers, growers, and the wider UK food supply chain. Baroness Batters’ review recognises the vital role of farmers and growers in driving growth…
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