Key Highlights

• 4,000 tons of potatoes faced waste due to low market demand
• Berliner Morgenpost and Ecosia are leading the free distribution
• Potatoes are being moved from Saxony to Berlin
• More help is needed for storage space and transport costs

An unusually large potato harvest in eastern Germany has led to a rare public giveaway. A farm in Saxony was left with 4,000 tons of potatoes after demand failed to match supply. To prevent waste, Berliner Morgenpost and Ecosia have stepped in to help distribute the crop for free to people in Berlin.

How the Surplus Built Up

The potatoes were grown on a farm in Saxony. A trader had ordered the harvest and the potatoes were picked and stored as planned. After storage, it became clear that the market had more potatoes than buyers. Prices dropped sharply and although the financial deal was settled, the potatoes were left without a destination.

Berliner Morgenpost described the situation as a clear sign of how broken parts of the food supply system can be. Perfectly edible food was at risk of being wasted simply because selling it no longer made sense.

From Storage to Free Distribution

The potatoes had been kept in cool, dry halls on a farm south of Leipzig. The first trucks are now heading to Berlin. Ecosia is paying for transport, while Berliner Morgenpost is helping with planning and coordination.

To explain the scale, 4,000 tons equals almost four million kilograms. That is close to the weight of 800 adult elephants. In food terms, the harvest could feed hundreds of thousands of people.

The goal of the effort is simple: keep good food from being thrown away.

Also read: Top 10 Potato Producing Countries in the World

How the Giveaway Works

People were invited to sign up to collect free potatoes in Berlin. Registration has now closed. Those who signed up on time will receive an email today. The message will confirm if their request was accepted and will include details on when and where to collect the potatoes.

Even though sign-ups are closed, the project still needs support. Berliner Morgenpost is searching for more locations where potatoes can be handed out. Financial help is also welcome to cover the cost of more truck deliveries.

The potato giveaway shows how food waste can happen even when harvests are strong. By moving surplus crops from fields to people, this joint effort offers a practical response to a system where too much food often ends up with nowhere to go.

Image credit: by Eric Prouzet on Unsplash
News source: The-Berliner

Key Highlights

• First Choice Foods to expand exports to three new regions
• Ships to the US under Himalayan Crisp brand
• Works with 35,000 farmers to grow more Nepali potatoes
• Plans to help turn Tikapur into a potato hub

First Choice Foods, a potato processing company from Rupandehi, is getting ready to send its Himalayan Crisp fries to the UK, Japan and Australia. The company already exports to the United States and hopes to reach the new markets between mid-December and mid-February, said founder Krishna Prasad Paudel.

Exports built up fast

The plant began production in mid-June 2025 and moved into the US market only a few months later. Paudel said the team reached out to a possible US buyer through email in mid-September and sent a small batch of fries for testing. The samples went to the US Food and Drug Administration and once they passed the checks, the buyer placed an order.

Sample testing alone cost around Rs 500,000 to Rs 600,000. Under the deal, the company must deliver 40 containers by mid-February to mid-March. So far, 42 tonnes have been shipped.

Growing at home but still facing gaps

While demand for fries is rising inside Nepal, the company says large buyers at home have been slow to sign up. After news broke about its US exports, more interest followed. The company now supplies some five-star hotels and KFC outlets.

Paudel said Nepal has not built a habit of promoting its own products even when they match global quality. He added that the company is not asking for limits on imported fries, only for proper lab checks so customers know what they are eating.

RELATED: The Journey of McDonald’s French Fries From Farm to Fryer

Working with farmers across districts

The plant currently uses mostly Nepali potatoes, along with some supply from India, but hopes to use only local potatoes from next year. It can produce 2.5 tonnes of fries per hour.

To make local supply stronger, the company is backing farmers in 26 districts. It works with 35,000 farmers, offering training on growing methods and the use of machines. The company buys their potatoes at a fixed rate, which Paudel says gives farmers steady confidence.

A new project in Tikapur, Kailali, uses machines for planting, which cuts labour costs. The company has leased land in Birendranagar Bidhya Mandir and Tikapur Multiple Campus to start mechanised farming. It has also begun training agriculture students on seed and crop production.

Plan for a potato hub in Tikapur

The company has spoken with Sudurpashchim officials about turning Tikapur into a potato hub. Paudel said they have proposed that the province set aside 400–500 bighas of land next year. The company would supply machines and buy the harvest at a fair price. The plant was built with an investment of Rs 2 billion and imports its machines from India.

If the company manages to enter all three new markets on time, it could open fresh demand for Nepali potatoes and support thousands of farmers.

Source: New Business Age
Image credit: First Choice foods

Key Highlights

• Tajikistan harvested over 1.2 million tons of potatoes in 10 months
• A growers’ forum and fair was held in Dushanbe
• Farmers shared methods, seed types and storage ideas
• About 200 tons of potatoes were sold at low prices for city residents

Tajikistan has harvested more than 1.2 million tons of potatoes in the first ten months of this year, showing better output than the same time last year. To support farmers and improve shelf life of potato products, the Ministry of Agriculture held a growers’ forum and fair at the Mekhrgon market in Dushanbe.

Why the Forum Was Organized

The forum was arranged to help farmers, researchers and sellers work together in a simple and open way. Officials said the main aim was to support potato farming, which is a key part of the country’s food system.

Farmers brought their best seed types, shared methods from different regions and discussed how better handling and packaging can help potatoes last longer after harvest. Better packaging was one of the main topics because it helps keep moisture, pests and damage under control, which is important for both fresh potatoes and processed products.

The event also included small talks on raising yield and improving seed quality. Visitors could taste many potato dishes prepared by cooks, showing how widely potatoes are used in homes and small food shops.

RELATED: The Truth About Potato Peel Waste Around the World

Current Harvest and Varieties Grown

Official figures show that potatoes were planted on 64,300 hectares for the 2025 season. By November 1, farms across the country had brought in more than 1.2 million tons, about 69,000 tons higher than last year during the same period.

Tajikistan grows both local and foreign varieties. Local types include “Tajikistan”, “Fayzobod”, “Zarrina”, “Shukrona”, “Karimi”, “Ovchi” and “Gonchi”. Foreign types such as “Evolution”, “Arizona”, “Aladdin”, “Cardinal”, “Gala”, “Red Scarlett” and “Manitou” are also common.

Some of these varieties give between 300 and 700 centners per hectare. Experts say these numbers show progress in seed quality and simple field methods that help protect the crop.

Fair for City Residents

A large part of the event was a fair where growers from many districts brought nearly 200 tons of potatoes to sell at low prices. This was done to help Dushanbe residents buy food at a fair rate during the seasonal rise in prices.

Alongside fresh potatoes, the fair displayed many processed items such as chips, dried flakes and ready-to-cook dishes. These items helped visitors see that better packing and careful sorting can keep potatoes fresh for longer periods.

Awards and Appreciation

At the end of the forum, farmers, cooks and organizers who took part actively were given simple awards, thank-you notes and small gifts from the Ministry of Agriculture.

With higher harvest numbers and shared ideas on packing and storage, Tajikistan’s potato sector is trying to move toward better quality and fewer losses after harvest. Farmers say such events help them learn and prepare for the next season.

Source: asiaplustj
Image credit: Eric Prouzet on Unsplash

Key Highlights

• Cuttack farmers still avoiding potato farming despite support
• Cold storage gaps and late paddy harvest cited as main issues
• District target set at 800 acres for this season
• Seed potatoes offered at a lower price with an added refund

Cuttack district may not reach its potato planting target this season. Even though farmers are being offered cheaper seed potatoes and other support, many say they are not ready to grow the crop due to storage gaps and late harvesting of paddy.

Falling Area Over the Years

Potatoes are mainly grown in Salepur, Mahanga, Nischintakoili, Cuttack Sadar, Banki, Athagarh, Kantapada and Niali blocks because the soil suits the crop.

More than a decade ago, in 2012–2013, Cuttack topped the state in potato output with nearly 2,910 hectares under the crop, giving almost 23% of Odisha’s total supply.

But since then, the area has dropped for many reasons, lack of working cold stores, shifting weather and crop loss caused by animals. Last year, the district had aimed for 575 hectares but managed only around 438 hectares.

Fresh Push, Old Worries

This year, the horticulture directorate has set a goal of 800 acres for potato planting in the district. To help farmers take up the crop, the department began giving better seed potatoes at a lower rate. Still, farmers remain unsure. Potato planting usually begins in the last week of November, after paddy is cleared from the fields. One crop cycle takes about 100 to 120 days.

But it is already December and paddy has not been removed in many places because sowing was late. Farmers fear the delay will push potato planting beyond the ideal window.

They also worry about the weather. By mid-February, winter weakens and farmers say that warmer days may affect potato growth, which needs cooler conditions for proper tuber formation.

Cold Storage Failure Adds to Fear

A major concern is storage. Farmers say there is no working cold storage to keep potatoes after harvest. Without proper storage, they would have to sell at low prices. Cold stores at Bahugram in Salepur, 42 Mouza in Cuttack Sadar, Nisthipur in Banki, Lakheswar in Niali and Athagarh, set up long ago are no longer in working condition.

RELATED: How Better Packaging Extends Shelf Life for Potato Products

Officials Explain the Support

Deputy Director of Horticulture for Cuttack, Sandul Rama Rao, said seed potatoes are being given at a reduced price.

“We bought the seeds at ₹42.27 per kg and are giving them to farmers at ₹20 per kg. After they share GPS photos of their planted fields at the block office, they can also get a ₹10 per kg refund,” he said.

With the planting window shrinking and storage concerns still unsolved, farmers say they cannot risk potato farming this year. Unless cold stores are fixed and paddy is cleared on time, the district may fall short of its goal again.

Source: The New Indian Express
Image credit: engin akyurt on Unsplash

Key Highlights:

• Banas Dairy and BBSSL signed an MoU on 10 November in New Delhi.
• The plan covers seed work, farming support and market links for potatoes.
• BBSSL will use Banas Dairy’s tissue culture and aeroponic units.
• The effort aims to help potato farmers earn more and cut losses.

Banas Dairy and Bharatiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Limited (BBSSL) signed a new MoU in New Delhi on 10 November 2025. The aim is to build a complete potato value chain that runs from seed work to market supply. The event took place at Atal Akshay Urja Bhavan in the presence of senior officials from the Ministry of Cooperation.

This new agreement follows the central goal shared by the government to grow the idea of teamwork among cooperatives. The plan also reflects the Prime Minister’s call for progress through the cooperative system. Leaders from both groups spoke about the need to support farmers in a simple and practical way.

Dr. Ashish Kumar Bhutani, Secretary of the Ministry of Cooperation, said the partnership can help farmers earn more by building a stronger chain for potato farming. He said the move can reduce waste, make farming easier and help farmers take part in a more organised system.

Also read: Top 10 Potato Producing States in India 2025

Under this MoU, both sides will work together on seed potatoes that are certified and clean. BBSSL will use the tissue culture and aeroponic units of Banas Dairy. These units help create steady and clean seed material, which is important for crops. Banas Dairy, in turn, will guide the farming side and help farmers reach steady buyers.

The plan covers many steps of potato farming. It includes good farm practices, safe seed material and simple agreements with farmers for steady supply. There will also be support for better inputs, field checks and ways to reach the market without long delays.

Shri Sangram Chaudhary from Banas Dairy said the dairy group has been adding new farm lines beyond milk and potatoes are now a part of that work. Shri Chetan Joshi from BBSSL said the goal is to help India depend more on its own seed potatoes and cut outside buying.

The effort hopes to create a steady line from labs to farms to markets so farmers can plan better and face fewer losses. It also offers a clear path for farmers to use clean seed and simple farm steps without extra cost.

With this MoU now in place, both groups will begin field work and planning. The coming months will show how the joint effort helps farmers, seed supply and potato trade across the country.

Source: pib.gov.in
Image: pib.gov.in

Key Highlights:

• Europe sees record harvests but sharp price drops.
• French and Belgian markets hit hardest by oversupply.
• Weather extremes disrupt yields in Australia and South Africa.
• Pakistan, Egypt show growth with better seeds and exports.
• North American yields strong, but prices remain soft.

The global potato market in 2025 paints a mixed picture. Europe is struggling with record harvests and plunging prices, while several Southern Hemisphere countries are dealing with weather related supply shortages. Despite strong yields in many regions, imbalances in trade, storage and demand are reshaping the global potato economy.

Italy:

Prices in Italy have eased to €0.25–€0.30 per kilogram following an influx of French potatoes. Though demand from large retailers remains constant, oversupply from neighboring countries continues to pressure prices. Premium regional varieties with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) labels are performing relatively better.

Netherlands:

The Dutch market remains sluggish, with processing factories operating at reduced capacity. Weak demand for French fries across Europe, combined with high energy and contract costs, has slowed trade despite abundant supply.

Also read: Potato Peelings Could Replace Coal: Scientists Develop Eco-Friendly Biofuel

Belgium:

Belgium’s harvest is nearly complete, with around 90% of fields cleared. Strong yields are offset by low prices, wash ready potatoes fetch around €0.20 per kilo, while unwashed batches drop to €0.10. Export competition from Poland and Southern Europe is intensifying.

France:

France has produced a record 8.5 million tons of potatoes after a 10% increase in acreage. However, this bumper harvest has caused a major price collapse, with open market rates as low as €5–€15 per ton, far below production costs. Residual 2024 stocks are worsening the imbalance.

Poland:

Production has jumped to 6.8 million tons, up 15% from last year. Yields are strong, but prices remain low due to abundant supply. While domestic demand has improved slightly in autumn, farmer profitability is still under pressure.

Switzerland and Austria:

Both countries report above average yields, Switzerland up by 20%, Austria seeing abundant but stable supplies. However, logistics challenges such as crate shortages and strict grading rules are creating short term strain.

Germany:

Quality issues including worm damage and black spots are reducing shelf life. Ongoing oversupply from other EU countries keeps prices subdued. Export opportunities are limited by intense price competition.

Spain:

Northern regions, especially Castilla y León, report a delayed harvest and a 12% rise in planted area. Despite decent yields, prices are lower due to slow European demand and oversupply from France and Poland.

New Zealand and Australia:

In New Zealand, wet and cold spring weather delayed planting, but crop establishment looks promising. Australia, meanwhile, faces a shortage of fresh potatoes due to hot, dry weather across major producing states. Imports of frozen fries are helping fill the gap.

North America:

The U.S. and Canada have solid harvests, but prices are soft. Idaho, Minnesota and Alberta report strong yields. Yellow potato demand remains firm, though continuous supply from overlapping harvests keeps prices constant rather than rising.

Also read: U.S. Potato Industry Disappointed Over Japan’s Ongoing Market Block

South Africa:

Farmers in Limpopo and Sandveld are facing severe losses as prices plunge to €2.40–€2.70 per 10 kg, below cost. Oversupply from expanded planting and ideal growing weather has created a deflationary phase in the market.

Egypt:

Improved seed quality and favorable weather have boosted planting for the 2025 season. Exporters expect a rebound in shipments to key markets, driven by firm global prices and stable demand.

Pakistan:

Pakistan’s potato output reached 9–9.5 million tons, 20% jump from last year. Exports to Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, the UAE and Central Asia are growing. Fresh potato exports dominate, though processed products are slowly gaining traction.

From record breaking harvests in Europe to weather driven shortages in Australia, the global potato market is going through a volatile phase. Farmers worldwide are grappling with uneven prices, shifting demand and rising production costs. As supply chains stabilize, the coming months will test how global trade adjusts to this year’s surplus and scarcity cycles.

Source: global-agriculture
Image credit: Pexels by Mateusz Feliksik

Key Highlights:

• Japan still denies U.S. access to its fresh potato market after 30 years.
• NPC says the issue was ignored during Trump–Takaichi meeting.
• U.S. growers report losses of over $750 million in exports to Japan.
• Industry urges action to support farmers amid falling prices and high costs.

The National Potato Council (NPC) has voiced its frustration after the U.S.-Japan trade agreement once again excluded access for American fresh potatoes. Despite ongoing talks spanning three decades, Japan has yet to open its market, leaving U.S. growers disappointed and financially strained.

NPC CEO Kam Quarles said it was “very disappointing” that the U.S. could not use tariff pressure to move past Japan’s trade barriers. “Japan’s protectionism has blocked fresh potato access for thirty years and this delay continues to harm American family farms,” he said.

The latest meeting between President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi did not include any discussion about potato exports. No mention of the issue appeared in followup statements from either side. Earlier talks in October between the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) also ended without any progress or timeline for approval.

According to the NPC, Japan’s refusal to allow U.S. potatoes has already cost American growers over $750 million in lost exports. The group says Japan’s long running strategy of delaying talks without resolution has become a clear trade barrier.

The U.S. potato industry had hoped the recent tariff announcements by President Trump would provide leverage to resolve the issue. “This was a missed opportunity,” said Quarles, noting that the lack of fresh market access weakens the position of American exporters.

In testimony before the Senate Finance Committee, U.S. Chief Agriculture Negotiator nominee Dr. Julie Callahan described Japan’s delay tactics as a “non tariff trade barrier.” Quarles welcomed her statement, saying it reflected what the industry has argued for years. He added that her clear stance could help bring renewed focus to the issue within U.S. trade discussions.

Dean Gibson, NPC Vice President of Legislative Affairs and a grower from Idaho, said the failure to open the Japanese market comes at a difficult time for producers. “With falling prices and high input costs, farmers are already struggling. Losing the Japan opportunity only makes things worse,” he said.

Gibson called for stronger action from both the Administration and Congress to provide economic relief for the potato sector and other specialty crops facing similar export restrictions.

Industry estimates show that if access were granted, Japan could become a $150 million annual market for U.S. fresh potatoes. The continued blockage not only prevents potential growth but also adds pressure on the U.S. to achieve better trade terms for processed potato products in other markets.

The NPC says achieving entry into Japan’s fresh market remains a top priority. The council argues that opening Japan would not only benefit U.S. farmers but also strengthen overall agricultural trade between the two countries.

After thirty years of negotiations, Japan’s closed fresh potato market continues to frustrate U.S. growers. The National Potato Council is urging trade officials to take stronger steps to break the deadlock, arguing that America’s potato farmers cannot afford more years of delay and missed opportunities.

Source: American Ag Network
Image credit: Pixabay by Marko Paakkanen