News
Start Reliving the World Potato Congress 2024
Join us as we relive the World Potato Congress 2024 in a short series of emails.
Kicking off below with the Opening Events.
Side Bar- The World Potato Congress Inc. is excited to share with our global contacts this short series of press releases prepared by Potatoes Australia. Thank you to Potatoes Australia for your excellent coverage and for hosting a world class event!
Potatoes Australia Ltd was proud to host the 12th World Potato Congress 2024. Potatoes Australia Ltd. Chairman Dr. Nigel Crump and Potatoes Australia Ltd. Executive Officer, Sonia Waterson welcomed guests to the event for the official opening.
This prestigious global event was opened on Sunday June 23, by The Honorary Clare Scriven MLC, Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development.
The World Potato Congress has been running for over 30 years and this is the first time it has been held in Australia.
The welcome function, sponsored by the South Australian Government’s Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA), featured a Welcome to Country by Robert Taylor, honouring the traditional custodians, the Kaurna people.
Delegates from over 40 countries enjoyed an evening of exceptional South Australian hospitality. Savouring in local wines and indulging in the rich flavours and culinary excellence of the South Australian region.
Acclaimed Chef, Duncan Welgemoed of Africola fame, prepared gastronomic delights for delegates to enjoy. Duncan produced exotic, sumptuous canapes with locally grown potatoes as the hero, of course. Dishes included potato and chorizo bomba, potato scallops with ocean trout roe and whipped ‘truffled’ potato.
Pictured below is Chef Duncan Welgemoed and The Honorary Clare Scriven MLC, enjoying a potato scallop.
Click this button to view the highlight reel of the WPC2024 Welcome Function
The program officially commenced Monday morning the 24th of June, with an opening address by Her Excellency, the Honourable Frances Adamson. Followed by, The Honorary Clare Scriven MLC, Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development and Sponsors remarks by Elders Rural Services, Chris Willis.
Dr Peter VanderZaag, President of the World Potato Congress Inc. delivered the WPC President Address. The theme for this years World Potato Congress was “Old World Meets New”
Before a morning tea break, Guy Hareau, Principal Scientist at the International Potato Center (CIP) in Lima, Peru, presented an overview of World Potato Production.
Photo’s by Festival City Photography
World Potato Congress 2024 was a hit, thanks to you!
Your feedback is appreciated and will help WPC Inc better meet your needs as they plan the next World Potato Congress! If you haven’t already filled in the survey please take a few moments to do so now. (Survey still open! Help us prepare for WPC Poland 2026)
13th WORLD POTATO CONGRESS
KENYA: 26-30 OCTOBER 2026
Visit the WPC 2026 website: wpc2026kenya.com
Find more information on our
Current Partners
and how to
Become a WPC Sustaining Partner
Thank you
to our
WORLD POTATO CONGRESS SUSTAINING PARTNERS
for their on-going support of our initiatives
"Around the Globe" - Sponsorship and Networking Success Stories
Latest News
The World Potato Congress Inc. is now calling for proposals from parties interested in hosting the 14th World Potato Congress to be held in 2028. This Congress, once a triennial…
World Potato Congress Inc. welcomes SnowValley Food Hebei Co., Ltd. of China to the WPC Platinum Partnership. Dr. Peter VanderZaag, President of the World Potato Congress Inc. is extremely pleased…
World Potato Congress President Peter VanderZaag is pleased to announce the Ontario Potato Board as our newest Gold Sustaining Partner. “We extend a warm welcome to the Ontario Potato Board as a new…
World Potato Congress Inc. congratulates Dr. Simon Heck in his appointment as Director General of CIP and CGIAR Senior Director. The World Potato Congress Inc.’s (WPC) Board of Directors congratulates…
World Potato Congress Inc. announces Board changes: New President, Peter VanderZaag, Vice-President, Nora Olsen, Board Director, Brian Douglas and the retirement of John Griffin. Following 16 years of dedicated…
World Potato Congress President John Griffin is pleased to announce Potatoes USA as our newest Gold Sustaining Partner. “The support of Potatoes USA under the leadership of CEO Blair Richardson,…
The World Potato Congress mandate includes bringing together global knowledge, resources and expertise which in turn provides educational opportunities in such areas as seed production, pest and disease management, and…
The World Potato Congress Inc.’s Board of Directors Congratulates Mr. Xiaoping Lu, our WPC International Advisor, upon his retirement from the International Potato Center- China Center for Asia Pacific (CCCAP)…
The World Potato Congress President, John Griffin, would like to extend a congratulations and warm welcome to our new incoming Executive Director, Ellen Kouwenberg, who will be replacing outgoing General Manager,…
Last July, the Committee of Agriculture of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) approved a proposal presented by the Peruvian government to declare May 30 as the International Day of…