28 May 2026, UK: The James Hutton Institute, through the National Potato Innovation Centre (NPIC), will host a webinar on Friday 29 May, 9.00-11.00am, to mark the United Nations' International Day of Potato.

The Changing World of Potatoes will explore how the potato sector is evolving across markets, production, sustainability, innovation and scientific discovery.

Organised by NPIC, a partnership dedicated to delivering scientific solutions to the challenges facing the potato industry, the webinar will highlight how research and innovation are helping future-proof one of the world's most important food crops.

NPIC Director, Professor Ian Toth, who will chair the webinar, said, "World events are changing rapidly and having a major impact on crop production in the UK and globally.

"In the webinar, we'll hear about how this is affecting production before focussing on some key opportunities around pest management, precision breeding, nutrition and novel potato products. It will be an informative seminar on an important day in the potato calendar."

Potatoes are the world's third most important food crop and represent the second most valuable food sector in the UK, contributing £4.5 billion annually to the economy. Although global uncertainty continues to present challenges for the potato industry, innovation across both industry and research is creating new opportunities.

The webinar will examine key developments across the British potato sector over the past year, with expert insights on the trends and innovations shaping the future.

Topics to be covered include:

• The impact of global events and trade dynamics on international potato markets
• Future action to tackle potato cyst nematodes
• Advances in precision breeding and the potential of new potato cultivars
• The role of potatoes in nutrition and food security
• Opportunities to convert potato waste into high-value products and new economic streams