EUROPLANT is strengthening its presence in the British potato market with the establishment of EUROPLANT Potatoes UK Ltd. The new subsidiary will consolidate the company’s local activities, further develop its existing business and expand the direct marketing of new potato varieties. James Paice has been appointed Managing Director.
A new structure for an important market
The creation of EUROPLANT Potatoes UK Ltd underlines the EUROPLANT Group’s long-term commitment to the British potato industry. The new company will focus on strengthening cooperation with growers, packers, licensees and other industry partners, while supporting the introduction of new potato varieties and expanding the licensing business.
This new structure will also allow EUROPLANT to provide more targeted support to customers across the different market segments.
“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 more effectively across all market segments,” explains Christian Krahn, Sales Manager Export at EUROPLANT. “Our core strengths remain unchanged: high-performing varieties, consistent quality and reliable service.”
James Paice appointed Managing Director
James Paice will lead the new subsidiary as Managing Director. He has held several senior positions within the British fresh produce and potato industries and brings extensive sector experience and knowledge of the specific requirements of the UK market.
“EUROPLANT combines decades of experience in potato breeding with an extensive international network and a diverse portfolio of varieties. 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,” says Paice.
New varieties to be showcased
EUROPLANT’s next opportunity for face-to-face networking will be its annual EUROPLANT OPEN DAYS, taking place from 4 to 6 November 2026 at the Ten Brinke site in the Netherlands. The company will present established varieties alongside promising new selections, including INA and FILIPA.
INA is a table potato variety combining broad nematode resistance with high yield, good taste, attractive tuber grading and robustness. According to Hans-Georg Trumpf, Product Manager at the EUROPLANT Group, the variety has delivered good results across a wide range of growing regions this year, particularly against the backdrop of extreme weather conditions in different parts of the world.
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FILIPA is a new key variety in the very early table potato segment. It combines taste, marketable yield and quality, characteristics that are particularly relevant to early potato production across different growing regions.
EUROPLANT will also participate in the British Potato Conference, taking place on 18 and 19 November 2026 at the Lincolnshire Showground. Customers and industry partners will have the opportunity to meet James Paice and the EUROPLANT team to discuss varieties, current developments and future opportunities for cooperation.
With the establishment of EUROPLANT Potatoes UK Ltd, the company aims to bring its expertise in potato varieties, high-quality seed potatoes and customer service even closer to the needs of the British potato industry.
