PotatoEurope 2026 and New SugarBeet Expo

The road to PotatoEurope 2026 officially began with a practical potato planting event held on 21 April, organised by the DLG

This hands on activity set the stage for both PotatoEurope and the newly introduced SugarBeet Expo, which will take place on 9 and 10 September 2026 at Rittergut Gestorf, near Hanover. The event is expected to draw around 300 exhibitors, making it a key gathering for the farming community.

The planting demonstration was carried out in collaboration with farmer Friedrich Henkels, whose land is being prepared as a 45 hectare open air exhibition site. Industry representatives, media, and agricultural stakeholders attended to get an early look at what is planned for September. Machinery from AVR, DeWulf, and GRIMME was used during the planting, with crops that will later be harvested live during the exhibitions. Support for the demonstration came from Case IH, while Interseed Potatoes GmbH supplied the planting material.

“It’s an honour to organise the potato planting event this years and, once again, to welcome PotatoEurope to this farming region for the sixth time,” said Friedrich Henkels, Agrarpartner Limberg KG that manages the land.

“We look forward to hosting the new event, SugarBeet Expo. Events like these allow farmers to experience solutions directly in the field. That is essential when preparing investment decisions and long-term strategies,” he added.

The event also highlighted the importance of live machinery demonstrations, which will form a central part of both exhibitions. Visitors will be able to see planting, harvesting, and crop handling in real field conditions. Innovative techniques, including crop protection and mechanical weed control, will also be showcased.

“PotatoEurope is the central platform for exchange, innovation, and further development within our industry,” emphasizes Olaf Feuerborn, Chairman of the Board of UNIKA. “Especially in light of current and future challenges, the exhibition will highlight how innovative and high-performing the German potato industry truly is.”

Together, the two exhibitions aim to create a shared platform for growers, processors, and industry experts, reinforcing their importance within modern European agriculture.