EUROPLANT is highlighting northern Finland as an increasingly important base for high-grade seed potato production as warmer conditions in Central Europe raise the risk of aphid-borne virus transmission.

The company’s Finnish subsidiary, Finpom Oy, operates from Tyrnävä in the country’s High Grade seed potato production region, which covers the municipalities of Tyrnävä and Liminka. The area is subject to specific requirements designed to protect high-quality seed production from potato pests and diseases.

EUROPLANT said Finland’s cool growing conditions, harsh winters and comparatively low aphid pressure provide advantages for maintaining seed health. Warmer conditions elsewhere in Europe can extend the period during which aphids are active and capable of transmitting potato viruses.

Aphids can transmit economically important diseases including potato virus Y and potato leafroll virus. According to EUROPLANT, the peach-potato aphid, an important vector of potato leafroll virus, is unable to establish a permanently overwintering population in the Finnish High Grade region, while aphids capable of transmitting potato virus Y occur at substantially lower levels than in Europe’s main potato-growing areas.

“Healthy seed is the foundation of the entire potato value chain. Finland’s northern growing conditions, high-quality agricultural land and the expertise of our growers form a combination that is becoming increasingly important as the climate changes. Finpom is exceptionally well placed to serve potato producers both in Finland and elsewhere in Europe,” said Heikki Markus, Managing Director of Finpom Oy.

Finpom produces EUROPLANT varieties from early field generations through to certified seed and supplies both the Finnish market and EUROPLANT’s wider production network.

The companies are also developing their variety portfolio for Finnish and European growers. EUROPLANT highlighted Larissa and Juventa for the table potato market and the recently introduced early variety Filipa.

For the processing sector, the company pointed to Favola, a crisping variety that it said has shown resilience under difficult weather conditions in other European markets. EUROPLANT also cited its long-term storability as a factor expected to support demand.

“Extreme conditions need varieties for success – growing conditions across Europe have been very difficult, especially due to high temperatures and a shortage of rain over a very long period,” said Christian Krahn, Sales Manager Export at EUROPLANT.

The company is also promoting the table potato variety INA, highlighting its nematode resistance, yield characteristics and robustness.

EUROPLANT will present its potato portfolio at Potato Europe in Gestorf, near Hanover, on September 9-10, where it will exhibit at stand E93.