PotatoEurope 2026: Potato Industry Returns to Gestorf

<p>After a four-year break, <strong>PotatoEurope</strong>, the leading trade fair for the international potato industry, is returning to Germany. On September 9 and 10, 2026, Rittergut Gestorf 1 near Springe, not far from Hannover, will once again transform into the central meeting point for farmers, breeders, traders, and machinery manufacturers. In parallel, the SugarBeet Expo will take place for the first time – a clear signal of the growing networking between potato and sugar beet cultivation.</p><h2>Joint Stand as a Platform for 25 Years of Association Work</h2><p>At the center of the German presence is the joint stand of the <strong>Union of German Potato Industry e. V. (UNIKA)</strong> and the <strong>German Potato Trade Association e. V. (DKHV)</strong> in the tent hall, booth number ZC28. Here, the German potato industry presents itself with its performance and innovation strength. For UNIKA, the fair year 2026 has special significance: the umbrella association celebrates its 25th anniversary. PotatoEurope thus offers not only space for professional exchange, but also the appropriate framework to look back on 25 years of association engagement and at the same time look forward. According to statistics from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, 25,370 farms in Germany grew potatoes in 2025 – a figure that underscores the importance of the crop for domestic agriculture.</p><h2>Machine Demonstrations: For the First Time, Potatoes and Sugar Beets Together in the Field</h2><p>A highlight of the event is traditionally the practical machine demonstrations. The DLG (German Agricultural Society) expects around 300 exhibitors at the two parallel trade fairs. A total of 50 demonstration units and stationary units will be shown in field use – for the first time in Europe, potato and sugar beet technology will be presented together live. In the potato sector, 30 demonstration units are on the program, from planting technology to harvester combines of various performance classes through to transport, cleaning, and loading systems. In the sugar beet sector, ten machines and units showcase modern seeding technology, high-performance harvester combines, and solutions for transport, cleaning, and loading. The program is supplemented by ten machines in the plant protection technology sector, including modern field sprayers and spot sprayers for precise, resource-efficient use.</p><h3>Fixed Demonstration Schedule for Professional Visitors</h3><p>The machine demonstrations for potatoes and sugar beets run in parallel on both fair days and take place in the morning from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and in the afternoon from 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Professional visitors thus get a direct impression of the current state of technology and can directly compare the performance, efficiency, precision, and soil protection of different machinery concepts.</p><h2>Professional Program with Highly Current Industry Topics</h2><p>In addition to field technology, PotatoEurope 2026 offers a comprehensive professional program. On the first fair day, contributions on the Expert Stage include seed potato selection using Artificial Intelligence as well as opto-electronic sorting. In the afternoon, a cross-industry forum follows under the title "SBR/Stolbur – Act Together, Secure Harvests", which together with sugar beet industry stakeholders sheds light on the challenges surrounding the spread of the reedy plant hopper and the pathogens it transmits. The second fair day addresses new genomic techniques and the management of yellow nutsedge with other highly topical topics. The offering is supplemented by spotlights on agricultural logistics, digital farming, and organic potatoes – subject areas that show how broadly the industry is positioning itself technologically and ecologically.</p><h2>Conclusion and Outlook</h2><p>With the return to Germany, UNIKA's anniversary, and the first-time integration with the SugarBeet Expo, PotatoEurope 2026 sets several exclamation points. The combination of practical field demonstrations, current professional programming, and the joint stand of the German potato industry makes the event a central meeting point for the entire value chain – from breeding to processing. For exhibitors and visitors alike, September 2026 in Gestorf offers the opportunity to learn about technological innovations, current plant protection challenges, and the future prospects of European potato and sugar beet cultivation.</p>