A NEW company has been established in the UK by German potato breeder Europlant.
Based in Woking, Surrey, Europlant Potatoes UK Ltd will provide the ‘local structure’ that can better respond to and service the British market, according to Sales Manager Export at Europlant, Christian Krahn (pictured).
“The United Kingdom is an important market for Europlant with considerable potential. By establishing this new company, we are creating a clear local structure that will enable us to support our customers and partners for all market segments more effectively,” he said.
James Paice will lead the new company as Managing Director. An experienced executive, he has held various senior positions in the British fresh produce and potato industries.
“Europlant combines decades of experience in potato breeding with an extensive international network and a diverse portfolio of varieties,” he said. “I look forward to building on this expertise for the British market together with our partners, strengthening existing business relationships and exploring new market opportunities.”
The annual Europlant open days will take place from November 4th to 6th at the Ten Brinke site, located in Creil, Flevoland in the Netherlands. The company will showcase established varieties as well as promising new varieties. These include Ina and Filipa.
The table potato variety Ina combines broad nematode resistance with high yield, good taste, attractive tuber grading and robustness, according to Group Product Manager Hans-Georg Trumpf.
“This year, Ina has achieved good results across a wide range of growing regions, particularly in light of the extreme weather conditions experienced around the world,” he said.
Filipa is a new key variety in the very early table potato segment. It combines excellent taste, marketable yield and quality – important characteristics for early potato production across a range of growing regions worldwide, he added.
Europlant will also be represented at the British Potato Confex on November 18th and 19th at the Lincolnshire Showground where visitors will have the opportunity to meet James Paice and the Europlant team to discuss varieties, current developments and future opportunities for cooperation.
