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Kenya passes the flag to the 2028 host country, Belgium.
Left to right: Peter VanderZaag, President, World Potato Congress Inc.; Christophe Vermeulen, CEO, Belgapom and Director, FVPhouse; Wachira Kaguongo, CEO, National Potato Council of Kenya (NPCK); Christopher Gasperi, Founder and CEO, FreshCrop Group and Co-Host of the Congress; Kimani Rugendo, Chairman, NPCK; Dinah Borus, NPCK and Program Chair, WPC 2026.

At the close of WPC 2026 in Naivasha, host country Kenya formally passed the World Potato Congress flag to Belgium, host of the next Congress in Ghent in 2028. The ceremony marked the end of a memorable week in Kenya and the start of a two-year countdown to Ghent.

“Naivasha showed the world the energy and ambition of Africa’s potato sector, and we are deeply grateful to our Kenyan hosts. As we pass the flag to Belgium, we look forward to Ghent 2028 bringing together growers, researchers, industry and policymakers to share knowledge and shape the future of the potato for a growing world. Ghent, a great ancient city in the heart of Europe, is where delegates will not only get to enjoy ‘Belgian fries’ but all that has made the potato a staple food for Europe for over 200 years.”

— Peter VanderZaag, President, World Potato Congress Inc.

“Not a copy-paste”: Belgium’s vision for 2028

Accepting the flag on behalf of Belgium, Christophe Vermeulen, CEO of Belgapom and Director of FVPhouse, thanked the organisers of WPC 2026 and said he would take the knowledge and experiences of Naivasha with him on the road to 2028. Ghent 2028 will build on the tradition of Dublin, Adelaide and Kenya, while putting a distinctly Belgian stamp on a Congress that reflects a sector evolving at lightning speed.

“The potato in all its sizes and shapes is a part of this nation’s soul. We grow it, we eat it, we sell it and we absolutely love it.”

— Christophe Vermeulen, CEO, Belgapom

Why Belgium?

Belgium sits at the centre of Europe’s ‘potato belt’, the rich growing belt stretching from Denmark through Germany, the Low Countries and northern France to the UK and Ireland.

Belgium’s potato belt: more than 100,000 ha grown every season. Photo: City of Ghent

“We have lots of professional growers who are experts in sustainable growth, a thriving commerce in fresh potatoes, and some of the world’s newest and biggest potato processing plants within a 25 to 80 mile radius of Ghent,” said Vermeulen. “And the evidence strongly suggests that the world’s most popular side dish, the fry, was in fact invented here in our country some 200 years ago.”

From frites to gratin: the potato is part of Belgium’s soul. Photo: City of Ghent

Why Ghent?

• A fantastic city: lavish history, world-renowned art, delicious food and pubs with countless beers.
• A research hub: ‘Flanders Potato Valley’ is home to leading potato research institutes.
• Close to Europe’s decision makers: Brussels and the EU institutions are just 30 minutes away.

Interpom 2028

When the Congress closes in Ghent, Interpom opens just 30 minutes away in Kortrijk. Delegates to the Congress will be welcome to participate in post-Congress industry tours in Belgium, and their Congress registration will include complimentary registration to Interpom 2028. Interpom is a biennial event and the world’s largest indoor fair dedicated entirely to the potato sector, bringing together 332 exhibitors from 15 countries across 35,000 m² of indoor exhibition space.

What’s next?

WPC 2028 will take place in Ghent, Belgium, in the last week of November 2028. Programme, speakers and topics will be announced over the next two years. Stay subscribed for updates.

Ghent by night. See you in 2028! Photo: City of Ghent