Record-breaking edition PotatoEurope Netherlands 2025: The international potato industry comes together in Lelystad

September 12, 2025

Never had potato professionals from more than one hundred countries gathered in such numbers to meet, exchange knowledge, and experience the latest technologies and innovations live. The intensive and well-organised trade fair once again proved its value as the international meeting point for connection, networking and knowledge transfer. “We were able to welcome a record number of visitors and saw the entire chain come together,” says organiser Kuno Jacobs, director of DLG Benelux. “It is unique that so many professionals from so many countries meet. PotatoEurope 2025 clearly showed that the potato world can connect, despite the challenges. The atmosphere was optimistic and the interest in new technologies and innovations greater than ever.”

Perfect harvest and busy demo fields

Harvested under perfect conditions by leading manufacturers and then stored and sorted with the most modern techniques, the 25-hectare demonstration field with the variety Alegria showed how technology and practice go hand in hand. The demonstrations – from harvesting to box filling and optical sorting – attracted thousands of visitors. New this year was the live demo of optical sorting technology, which drew particular attention. The trial fields also attracted great interest, with innovations in varieties, fertilisation and crop protection. These demos once again raised the standard and set the bar at a new level.

Innovation Award: Croptimal the big winner

A highlight was the presentation of the Innovation Award, co-organised by PotatoWorld magazine. This took place immediately after the official opening of the trade fair by King’s Commissioner Arjen Gerritsen, Janine Luten (NAO) and Richard Harrison (WUR).

The first prize went to Croptimal, with the development of the Croptiscan 9000. This selection robot, equipped with advanced cameras and artificial intelligence, recognises diseases such as Y-virus, leaf roll and bacterial diseases directly in the field and helps remove infected plants with great precision. According to the jury, this is an innovation the sector has been waiting for for years: practical, immediately applicable and with a huge impact on sustainability and efficiency. Croptimal expects to deliver the first machines in 2026 and already sees international interest.

The second prize went to BioScout, which together with WUR developed a smart spore trap to detect Phytophthora spores in real time. The third prize was awarded to Maxstim Ltd. for the introduction of Maxstim Furrow Treatment, a biostimulant applied during planting.

Congress and international connection

In addition to the demo fields, the international congresses of WUR and other chain partners formed an important knowledge platform. During the WUR conference “Integrated Crop Management – The future of potato farming”, themes such as crop diversity, variety choice, soil management and targeted crop protection were discussed in detail. The market- and business-oriented conference “The Position of Europe in a Changing Potato World” also attracted much attention. Both congresses offered opportunities to meet, catch up and establish new connections – exactly what the sector needs now.

Global potato sector present in Lelystad

PotatoEurope 2025 brought together the entire potato chain: from machinery manufacturers and growers to breeders, processors and policymakers. Case IH provided the transport during the live demonstrations as tractor sponsor, symbolising the power of cooperation in the chain. In an optimistic atmosphere, it became clear that the sector is ready for the future despite challenges. Innovative, bustling and intensive – PotatoEurope 2025 proved that the international potato industry can find each other and work together on change. “With so many countries and companies together in one place, PotatoEurope 2025 proved that the future of the potato is being shaped globally – innovative, sustainable and connected,” emphasises organiser Kuno Jacobs.

The next edition of PotatoEurope will take place on 9 and 10 September 2026 in Germany.

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