New potato cultivar “Braschips” set to boost efficiency for producers

Embrapa has officially launched BRS F21, a dedicated potato cultivar engineered specifically to meet the rigorous demands of the potato chip and “straw” (shoestring) processing industries.

Marketed under the name “Braschips,” the new variety arrives at a critical time for food producers facing rising energy and raw material costs. The cultivar is the result of targeted breeding aimed at maximising industrial recovery and minimising waste on the production line.

For snack producers, the BRS F21 offers a significant upgrade in frying performance. The cultivar boasts a high dry matter content, a key metric that directly translates to lower oil absorption and reduced frying times. This allows processors to improve energy efficiency while producing a crispier, more consistent product.

Crucially for brand quality standards, the BRS F21 maintains consistently low levels of reducing sugars. This genetic trait prevents the dark browning caused by the Maillard reaction, ensuring that chips achieve the uniform light-golden colour required for premium retail packaging.

Internal physiological disorders, such as heat necrosis and hollow heart, are perennial challenges that lead to high rejection rates in processing plants. Embrapa’s field trials indicate that BRS F21 is remarkably resistant to these defects, as well as to external cracking.

For the producer, this means a higher “pack-out” yield. By reducing the volume of rejected tubers at the sorting stage, plants can increase their total output without increasing their raw material intake. The tuber’s oval shape and skin texture also facilitate efficient mechanical peeling and slicing, further minimising breakage.

Beyond the factory floor, BRS F21 provides a layer of security for the supply chain. The variety shows robust resistance to potato virus Y (PVY), a major cause of crop degeneration that often disrupts the steady flow of raw materials to processors.

The cultivar’s adaptability to major growing regions — including the Triângulo Mineiro and Southern Brazil — ensures that producers can maintain regional sourcing strategies. Its resistance to common diseases like late blight further protects the harvest against seasonal volatility.

As Brazil’s snack sector continues to expand, the introduction of BRS F21 represents a strategic move toward domestic self-sufficiency in high-quality industrial tubers. Processors are encouraged to begin large-scale industrial evaluations to integrate the variety into their 2026 production schedules.

By combining high agricultural yields with superior industrial performance, BRS F21 is positioned to become a foundational variety for the Brazilian potato processing industry, offering a rare “win-win” for both the grower and the food producer.