Set to debut a day before the main Fruit Attraction 2026 exhibition in Madrid, the inaugural symposium will unite industry leaders to address critical issues in plant health, market integration, and the future of potato consumption.

Navigating European trade and production

As the European Union maintains a prominent position in the global potato market, industry professionals are gearing up for the 1st International Potato Symposium. Scheduled for 5 October at IFEMA Madrid’s North Convention Centre, the event serves as a prelude to Fruit Attraction 2026.

Organised by FEPEX in collaboration with Fruit Attraction and Europatat (the European Potato Trade Association), the symposium aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the sector, bringing together representatives from production, trade, processing, and agricultural institutions.

The opening sessions will focus heavily on the ongoing challenges of potato production and trade across Europe, featuring an anticipated address by Europatat president Peter Ton. The discussions arrive at a pivotal moment; in 2025, EU potato production reached 55.6 million tonnes across approximately 1.48 million hectares. With Germany, France, and the Netherlands accounting for 56% of this volume, the highly integrated European market currently sees intra-EU trade nearing 9 million tonnes, alongside significant exports to third countries, particularly in seed potatoes.

Securing plant health for the future

A major highlight of the symposium will be an in-depth analysis of European phytosanitary conditions, an issue considered critical for the competitiveness and continuity of community production. Industry experts, including representatives from Europatat and CropLife Europe, will outline available solutions for the sector.

This dedicated segment will address fundamental factors shaping the future of potato cultivation, including the availability of effective crop protection tools, sustainable production practices, and the industry’s ability to respond dynamically to evolving legislative and market conditions.

Spotlight on the Spanish sector

Beyond the broader European context, the programme will dedicate a specific roundtable to the Spanish potato sector, exploring its unique challenges and commercial opportunities. Moderated by Alfonso Sáenz de Cámara, president of the FEPEX Potato Sectoral Committee, the panel is set to include Yolanda Medina, president of ASONAL, and Eduardo Ramos from the CIPP (Iberian Club of Potato Professionals).

Spain currently ranks as the EU’s seventh-largest producer, yielding nearly 1.9 million tonnes annually. While the country has seen a slight recovery in cultivated area — growing to 66,660 hectares in 2025, a 12% increase compared to 2023 — it continues to rely heavily on imports to meet domestic demand. The roundtable will debate how Spanish growers can leverage recent acreage growth while securing long-term economic viability.

Championing an essential crop

Concluding with an outlook on the evolution of potato consumption across Europe, the symposium underlines the crop’s strategic importance. By hosting this inaugural event, Fruit Attraction and FEPEX aim to reinforce the recognition of the potato as an essential product for global food security, dietary health, and the economic vitality of countless producing regions. The symposium forms a core part of the activities celebrating the potato as the ‘Star Product’ of Fruit Attraction 2026, setting the stage for targeted promotions throughout the wider trade fair.

Register at this link: https://www.ifema.es/fruit-attraction/horario-actividades/simposio-patata