The recent edition of PotatoEurope, held in the Dutch town of Lelystad, drew significant interest from the global potato sector. The fair, which took place on 3 and 4 September, benefited from favorable weather conditions, with only a few showers providing a brief respite for growers. The event, organized by Wageningen University & Research, Open Crops, brought together a targeted audience from around the world, underscoring the importance of face-to-face interactions in an industry that thrives on personal connections.
One of the key themes at this year’s PotatoEurope was haulm killing, a critical aspect of potato cultivation. Kloppenburg Mechanisatie showcased its first 8-row haulm topper with haulm puller, weighing under 2,100 kg and 2,500 kg respectively, priced at €35,000 and €85,000. The fairground layout, however, left something to be desired, with some exhibitors like Euro-Jabelmann tucked away in corners, while others enjoyed prominent locations. Averis, a potato seed trading house, found itself in a fortunate spot next to the entrance of the harvesting demonstrations, despite registering late.
The fair attracted visitors from 119 countries, highlighting the global significance of the potato sector. With more than 300 participants, the event served a broad audience, including delegations from Nigeria and India. The rapid growth of potato cultivation in Asian countries, particularly India, underscores the importance of the Netherlands in fostering a healthy and innovative potato sector.
Innovation was a central theme at PotatoEurope, with camera technology making significant strides. Companies like AVR introduced new harvesters, such as the Spirit 9200i VW, featuring a combination of hedgehog web and axial rollers with a Varioweb system. The harvester, ISOBUS-controlled and equipped with AVR Connect for data transfer, boasts a bunker capacity of over 8 tonnes.
The sector is also witnessing the breakthrough of camera sorters and potato selection robots. Croptimal presented its first practice-ready scanner, while other companies, including Vegniek, plan to deploy their first disease-detection robot in practice next year. Although yield measurement on potato harvesters is already commonplace, camera technology on harvesters or grading lines was less prominent. The upcoming Agritechnica fair in November is expected to bring more news in this area.
Crop protection and reducing the use of chemicals remained a constant focus. For the first time in years, haulm puller demonstrations were held at PotatoEurope. Andela Techniek & Innovatie demonstrated electrical haulm killing, alongside haulm pullers from Kloppenburg and Vegniek. Vegniek also showcased a conventional selection trailer equipped with cameras that recognize diseased plants and point them out with a light beam.
The current potato price of €0 for free-market potatoes was a hot topic at the fair. Dutch French fries processors expressed pessimism about the current season, hinting at potential corrections for the next growing season. This uncertainty has affected growers’ willingness to invest, making them cautious. Machinery manufacturers also noted some restraint in orders for next year.
Innovations in seed potato cultivation were also highlighted. Camera technology that analyses images with smart software is making strong progress. Companies like Croptimal and Vegniek presented the first examples of selection robots, which recognize diseased or abnormal plants. These robots are expected to enter the field next year, offering the potential to outperform trained selectors and move seed potato cultivation forward.
The fair also saw the introduction of new products like the reinforced box tipper K56 from Frisian manufacturer Wifo. The tipping cylinder is thicker, the gear wheel wider, and the bearing more durable, with a price tag of €7,950. Additionally, agrochemical company Nufarm, together with potato breeder Geersing Potato Specialist, presented an integrated resistance-based strategy against Phytophthora infestans. This approach focuses on varieties with resistance genes and a new biological fungicide based on the yeast cerevisane.
PotatoEurope 2024 provided a platform for the global potato sector to come together, share innovations, and address challenges. The event underscored the importance of personal connections and the continuous drive for innovation in an industry that plays a crucial role in global food supply.