Through its subsidiary FINPOM Oy, based in Tyrnävä, EUROPLANT produces and multiplies high-grade seed potatoes in a specialised production zone covering the municipalities of Tyrnävä and Liminka.
The area is subject to specific requirements designed to protect high-quality seed production and benefits from climatic conditions that limit the presence and activity of some of the main vectors responsible for spreading potato viruses.
Lower aphid pressure becomes a competitive advantage
Aphids are responsible for transmitting several economically important potato viruses, and warmer conditions in Central Europe are extending the period during which virus transmission can occur.
In northern Finland, however, aphid pressure remains considerably lower. According to EUROPLANT, the peach-potato aphid, an efficient vector of potato leafroll virus, is unable to establish a permanently overwintering population in the high-grade seed potato production zone.
Aphids capable of transmitting potato virus Y (PVY) are also significantly less prevalent than in Europe’s main potato-growing regions.
“Healthy seed is the foundation of the entire potato value chain. Finland’s northern growing conditions, high-quality agricultural land and the expertise of our growers form a combination that is becoming increasingly important as the climate changes,” said Heikki Markus, Managing Director of FINPOM Oy.
New varieties for different market segments
Alongside high-grade seed production, FINPOM is expanding the varietal offer available to Finnish growers together with parent company EUROPLANT Pflanzenzucht GmbH.
Table potato varieties LARISSA and JUVENTA have already been introduced into the Finnish market and have performed well under challenging growing conditions in recent seasons.
For the early potato segment, FINPOM has recently presented FILIPA, a first-early variety combining early maturity, attractive appearance and eating quality.
“Finnish seed potato expertise now has a strong opportunity to play an increasingly important role in high-class seed potatoes. We combine EUROPLANT’s international breeding programme with Finland’s exceptional production conditions and highly skilled growers,” Markus said.
FAVOLA and INA target resilience and resistance
EUROPLANT is also highlighting varieties developed to respond to increasingly challenging growing conditions across Europe.
The crisping variety FAVOLA has shown resilience under difficult weather conditions in other European markets and stands out for its long-term storability, a characteristic the company expects to support future demand.
“Growing conditions across Europe have been very difficult, especially due to high temperatures and a shortage of rain over a very long period,” said Christian Krahn, Export Manager at EUROPLANT.
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The table potato variety INA has also attracted attention in trials this season. EUROPLANT highlights its broad nematode resistance, together with its combination of yield, tuber size and robustness.
According to Krahn, these characteristics will be increasingly important as growers look for varieties capable of maintaining performance under greater agronomic and climatic pressure.
EUROPLANT to showcase its portfolio at Potato Europe
EUROPLANT will present its potato portfolio at Potato Europe in Gestorf, near Hanover, where the company will exhibit at stand E93.
The event will bring together growers, breeders, seed potato companies, researchers, processors and agricultural technology suppliers from across the international potato industry.
EUROPLANT currently operates in more than 70 countries through a global breeding and distribution network and offers a portfolio of more than 100 table, processing and starch varieties.
FINPOM, meanwhile, produces and markets certified seed potatoes for both the Finnish market and international customers.
