Preparations are nearing completion for PotatoEurope 2025, which will take place in Lelystad, the Netherlands, on 3–4 September. Organisers have confirmed that the 25-hectare demonstration field is fully prepared, with tents in place and pathways laid ahead of the event.

Jacob de Jong, manager at WUR Field Crops in Lelystad, carried out a recent trial harvest of the Alegria variety, reporting a yield of 60 tonnes per hectare. The size distribution was favourable, with 34.9% of tubers in the 65–70 mm range and 26.2% measuring above 70 mm. Expectations for the live demonstrations are therefore high.

During the fair, machinery manufacturers including Agri-Poppe, AVR, Dewulf, Grimme and Ropa will showcase their harvesting technology. Tipping trailers from companies such as Beco, Brettmeister, Joskin, Van Ginkel Machines and Krampe will then transport potatoes to storage lines, where systems from AVR, Bijlsma Hercules, Dewulf, Grimme, Spinnekop and Visser will be demonstrated. Box filling remains a highlight, with AVR, Dewulf, Grimme, Mechatec, VHM Machinery and Wevano Machinery among those presenting their latest solutions.

A notable addition this year is the live demonstration of optical sorters. Flikweert Vision, MecSistem, TechNature, Tomra Food, Visar Sorting and Wevano Machinery will present equipment designed to assess the quality of harvested potatoes in real time.

Alongside the harvesting demonstrations, dedicated trial fields will feature research into variety development, fertilisation, crop protection and sustainable cultivation methods. The harvested Alegria potatoes will be delivered to Schaap Holland in Biddinghuizen, the company responsible for managing the variety.

Organiser DLG-Benelux reported strong international interest. “At the moment, potato professionals from 119 countries have already secured an entrance ticket,” said Kuno Jacobs, managing director. In total, 311 Dutch and international exhibitors are set to participate, and visitor numbers are expected to exceed 15,000.

PotatoEurope rotates annually among four host countries – the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and France – and provides a platform for the global potato sector to exchange knowledge, demonstrate technology and foster collaboration.