News

As the sun sets on 2024, the World Potato Congress Inc. takes a look back on what just might be its most eventful year on record. From celebrating the first International Day of the Potato, to the 12th Congress in Adelaide, Australia, the WPC was honoured to play a pivotal role in bringing the world together to celebrate all things potato, and we are excited to share this brief flashback to our global potato network and friends of the industry.

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International Day of the Potato

2024 Theme: Harvesting Diversity, Feeding Hope

“So, why potato? …. Because behind every potato, there’s a story of resilience, of determination and of hope. Because the potato isn’t just a vegetable; it’s a symbol of empowerment, of transformation, and of the boundless potential that lies within each and every one of us”. (Excerpt – Kenya’s National Potato Conference Guidebook-May 30, 2024).

The World Potato Congress (WPC) was thrilled to see the global momentum for the inaugural International Day of Potato (IDP) on May 30, 2024. Spearheaded by the WPC, with support from UN member countries, Peru, and the FAO, this day celebrated the significance of the potato, the third-largest food crop worldwide.

Across North America, campaigns took place in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. The PEI Potato Board in Prince Edward Island, led by WPC Treasurer Greg Donald, organized social media promotions and partnerships with restaurants to celebrate the day. PEI, Potato Growers of Alberta and many other groups distributed potatoes for free throughout the day. The U.S. took a culinary approach, showcasing global potato dishes, with Potatoes USA hosting a virtual 5K race on Strava.

In Latin America, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru held events ranging from webinars to fairs, emphasizing the potato’s cultural and economic importance.

In Europe, the European potato trade organization Europatat launched a week-long campaign highlighting potato facts, and individual countries hosted their own celebrations.

Kenya’s National Potato Conference and Expo gathered over 1,000 participants to discuss the crop’s role in the country’s economy. Meanwhile, China, Australia, and India also held various celebrations, with Potatoes Australia creating a dedicated webpage for event coordination. The global celebrations culminated at the FAO Headquarters in Rome on May 30th, where experts and leaders, including WPC Director André Devaux as key panelist, gathered to discuss the potato’s contribution to nutrition, food security, and sustainability.

The WPC worked closely with counterparts in both the FAO and CIP to launch the first International Day of the Potato.

Stay tuned as the theme and plans develop for 2025 International Day of the Potato to be held May 30th, 2025!

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12th World Potato Congress

The 12th World Potato Congress will be remembered for years to come!  Hosted by Potatoes Australia and led by WPC Director Nigel Crump, the Adelaide Convention Centre was filled with over 900 delegates, all eager to hear from leaders and innovators in the global potato industry. Monday June 24th was packed with insightful presentations, enlightening discussions, and plenty of networking opportunities. The enthusiasm continued on Tuesday, June 25, as delegates gathered to explore the latest advancements in potato research and industry trends. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement and collaboration as speakers covered topics like food waste, storage technology, and integrated pest management (IPM). Delegates actively engaged in panel discussions and Q&A sessions with the presenters, contributing to a dynamic exchange of ideas. It was an incredible opportunity for global interactions that helped shape the future of the potato industry.

Delegates from over 40 countries also had the chance to enjoy exceptional South Australian hospitality during networking receptions and the Gala Dinner. The theme for this year’s World Potato Congress was “Old World Meets New,” a fitting concept for an event that bridged the past and future of the potato industry.

The Congress was followed by two days of industry tours to Australian Potato industry sector sites, science and technology and Australian wildlife and culinary locations.

More Highlights

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Delegate Sponsorship

WPC Success Stories of Global Reach
The Impact of the Declaration of Dublin

The World Potato Congress (WPC) provides funding support to delegates to attend its congresses to empower countries in addressing food security challenges through potato farming. Potatoes are a vital crop that plays a significant role in global food and income security, especially in developing regions like Asia, Africa, and South America. Many of these countries have not fully maximized the potato’s yield potential, facing challenges such as limited access to quality seed, inadequate mechanization, and vulnerability to pests and climate change.

Over 100 applications were received for the 20 seats funded, all very worthy applications. By supporting delegates from global south nations, the WPC and Sustaining Partners aim to enhance their potato programs, helping them implement effective agricultural practices, improve productivity, and reduce post-harvest losses.

This funding initiative aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, promoting prosperity and addressing social needs such as education, health, and job opportunities, while tackling climate change. It fosters collaboration between public and private sectors to improve food systems through shared knowledge, resources, and research. Many developing nations have successfully implemented policies to improve the potato sector, such as providing subsidized inputs and developing native potato value chains. The WPC seeks to promote such success stories and replicate these strategies to benefit other countries facing similar challenges, thereby strengthening local, national, and global potato value chains.

By supporting delegates from developing countries, the WPC also facilitates the exchange of research, technology, and best practices. The congress serves as a platform for networking, building partnerships, and sharing knowledge that can drive innovation in potato farming. These interactions enable countries to adapt to new agricultural technologies and enhance potato production systems, contributing to global food security. The WPC’s focus on public/private partnerships, sustainable farming practices, and climate resilience aims to equip developing countries with the tools they need to improve potato-based food systems and create more sustainable livelihoods for farmers.

These success stories and the WPC’s evolution in adopting the Declaration of Dublin can be found on the WPC website under “Around the Globe”.

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Webinars: Education between Congresses

Education and networking doesn’t end at the Congress event. The WPC holds 6-8 webinars throughout the year allowing for a sharing of ideas. Thank you to all our hosts, from around the world, for contributing your expertise to educating the global potato industry. The recorded webinars for the year 2024 can be found here.

 

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Global Potato Industry Awards

On Tuesday, June 25, following the 12th World Potato Congress in Adelaide, Australia, an Industry Award Ceremony was held to recognize nine remarkable individuals who have devoted their life’s work to the potato industry.

WPC President Peter VanderZaag presented the awards at the sold-out closing Gala Dinner with over 800 attendees at the iconic Adelaide Oval.

 

More photos of the ceremony…

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Sustaining Partnership

The World Potato Congress Inc, as a non-profit organization, is grateful for the corporate sponsorships of our Silver, Gold and Platinum Partners. It is through their annual contributions that the World Potato Congress is able to hold the biennial event and develop global supports for the industry including the guidance on the International Day of the Potato, webinars, and supports to sponsored delegates.

Stay tuned for 2025 when we look to expanding our models, allowing for more collaboration of potato industry reps from around the globe to participate in thematic groups (research, marketing, etc.), and to launch a Diamond partnership with benefits including trade show booth space and speaking opportunities at the Congress!

Information on each of these companies below can be found here.

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The World Potato Congress is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors who receive guidance from an elected group of Global International Advisors. These members and their biographies can be found here:

Directors

 

International Advisors