AUSVEG, the peak industry body representing Australian vegetable and potato growers, has been confirmed as a Platinum Sustaining Partner of the 13th World Potato Congress (WPC), which will be held in Kenya in late 2026. This marks the first time the global event will take place in Sub-Saharan Africa and reflects a strategic effort to highlight the potato’s role in food security, economic growth and sustainable agriculture across emerging markets.

Organised by the National Potato Council of Kenya (NPCK), in collaboration with the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA), FreshCrop Limited and the International Potato Center (CIP), the Congress is scheduled for October–November 2026 and is expected to draw over 1,000 international delegates from across the value chain—including growers, processors, researchers, and policymakers.

Announcing the partnership, World Potato Congress Inc. said it “warmly welcomes AUSVEG as a Platinum Sustaining Partner of the 13th World Potato Congress in Kenya,” underscoring AUSVEG’s commitment to promoting international collaboration and strengthening the global potato industry.

“We are proud to support this important global event that brings together industry leaders, innovators and growers from around the world,” AUSVEG CEO Michael Coote stated in the official release. “It is a chance to elevate Australia’s voice in key discussions about the future of potato production, trade and technology.”

AUSVEG’s involvement as a top-tier partner positions the Australian industry at the heart of discussions focused on sustainability, climate resilience and equitable growth, with particular attention to the role of youth and women in the potato economy—one of the central themes for the 2026 edition.

The World Potato Congress has been a global fixture since 1993, with previous editions hosted in Canada, China, Peru and Ireland. The 2026 Kenya event represents a historic pivot to Africa, where potato demand and production are growing steadily and where the crop is increasingly viewed as a tool for food system transformation.

The Congress will feature plenary sessions, technical symposia, research presentations, commercial exhibitions and farm tours across key Kenyan potato-producing regions. Organisers aim to create a platform for knowledge exchange and commercial partnership between African producers and global stakeholders.

More details about the Congress agenda, registration and sponsorship opportunities are expected to be released in the coming months via the official WPC website: www.potatocongress.org.

By aligning itself with the event, AUSVEG signals not only its international ambitions but also a broader industry vision that sees the potato as a critical crop in the global response to climate volatility, changing consumer demands, and sustainable development goals.