Around 500 guests from 15 countries attended the 20th International Berlin Potato Evening (IBK) on 4 February 2026, responding to an invitation from the Deutscher Kartoffelhandelsverband (DKHV). Representatives from across the potato value chain, alongside stakeholders from science, industry associations and politics, gathered for the anniversary edition of the event, which was held for the first time at the TITANIC Chaussee Berlin.

The annual event, traditionally organised on the eve of Fruit Logistica, has developed over two decades into a central meeting point for the German and European potato sector. In his opening address, DKHV President Thomas Herkenrath recalled the origins of the Berlin Potato Evening, which was first held in 2005 with around 50 participants at the InterContinental Berlin. Since then, the format has expanded steadily in both scale and relevance.

Large 2025 Harvest Shapes Market Conditions

Discussions at this year’s gathering focused on the current market situation, which is being shaped by an unusually large potato harvest in the 2025 season. Expanded planting areas combined with favourable growing conditions have led to increased supply levels across Europe. According to the DKHV, the situation is notable in that all European producing countries are facing similar conditions simultaneously.

As a result, the sector is contending with sustained price pressure, high stock levels and shifts in international trading structures, developments that are affecting the market as a whole.

Herkenrath described the current situation as part of a typical market cycle. After several years of high prices, additional production decisions had been made, contributing to the present oversupply. The key issue, he argued, was how the sector responds during this phase.

“The trade bears responsibility for stability within the value chain, for managing surpluses and for securing reliable utilisation channels,” Herkenrath said.

At the same time, he emphasised that producer businesses must retain a viable long-term economic perspective.

Competitiveness Under Pressure

Structural challenges facing the industry were also a prominent theme during the evening. Rising production and logistics costs, comparatively high energy prices and increasing bureaucracy and regulation were cited as factors weakening the competitiveness of both the German and broader European potato sectors in an international context.

Despite these pressures and the exceptional market conditions, Herkenrath expressed confidence in the sector’s ability to navigate the current phase. He called for calm decision-making, resilience and cohesion across the industry.

“If farmers, traders, processors, logistics providers, associations and policymakers act responsibly together, the potato sector has mastered every comparable situation in the past. We will succeed again this time,” he said.

Focus On The Next Generation

Looking ahead, the DKHV President also highlighted the association’s efforts to involve younger professionals through the establishment of “Junger DKHV”, an initiative aimed at integrating the next generation of potato traders into the organisation’s work. Personal exchange, networks and dialogue, he noted, remain essential for the future of the industry despite increasing digitalisation.

The 20th International Berlin Potato Evening once again underlined the importance of the format as a platform for dialogue and networking within the sector. Guests were encouraged to use the informal part of the evening for professional discussions and international contacts.