The evening of February 4 focused entirely on the potato: Leading representatives of the European potato industry gathered in the festive ballroom of the Hilton Berlin at Gendarmenmarkt for the 19th International Berliner Kartoffelabend, hosted by the Deutsche Kartoffelhandelsverband e.V. (en.: German Potato Trade Association e.V. – DKHV). On the eve of the Fruit Logistica, the DKHV welcomed over 480 guests from 17 countries, including high-ranking personalities from associations, politics, science and business, as well as representatives from more than 180 companies in the industry. A highlight of the evening was the presence of the potato queens Daniela I and Paula I, who contributed to the success of the event with their charming presence.
Click here for the complete photo report of the Kartoffelabend.
DKHV President Thomas Herkenrath started the evening with a welcome speech, in which he emphasized the importance of the international and cross-border commitment of associations working for the potato industry. He emphasized the necessity of European and worldwide cooperation in research and science, for example when breeding suitable potato varieties for different regional conditions or combating pests such as late blight or the planthopper Petanstiridius leporinus.
Herkenrath warned: "The increasing spread of the planthopper Petanstiridius leporinus, which has rapidly spread in numerous growing areas in recent years, poses a significant threat to potato cultivation. This planthopper species can transmit the Stolbur pathogen and a proteobacterium that cause massive losses in yield, quality and storage, and even total crop failure. In addition, the increasingly stringent political requirements in the area of crop protection are dramatically complicating the effective control of such pests."
He called for innovative solutions to ensure food security in Germany and Europe in the long term. "At stake is nothing less than the future of potato growing in Germany and Europe and the preservation of regional economic cycles," said Herkenrath.
Changes in world trade
Herkenrath also addressed the current changes in world trade: "Although global trade continues to grow, it is becoming increasingly difficult for many German companies to compete in world trade. Above all, the international decline in competitiveness due to high production costs, driven by too much bureaucracy, overregulation, documentation requirements, senseless certification mania and sometimes excessive demands from some NGOs, are increasingly affecting companies. In order for the German and European potato trade to remain competitive in the future, we need stable and reliable framework conditions on the one hand, and on the other hand, the promised reduction in bureaucracy must be implemented in the short term, together with a deregulation and harmonization of the certification systems. The European potato is one of the safest, most sustainable and most climate-friendly agricultural products, but is nevertheless made unnecessarily more expensive due to a multitude of costly legal and private certifications. This must finally come to an end, without endangering our high health and consumer protection standards."
"The DKHV therefore welcomes what it has long been calling for: the increasing political realization that both the Green Deal and the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act have overshot the mark and are placing a heavy burden on the economy. For the first time, there are encouraging signs of a change in thinking in the German and European political landscape. We urge that both the bureaucratic and regulatory burdens be lightened to finally relieve the German and European economies and promote free trade. But it is not enough to merely make declarations of intent. The state cannot and should not solve every problem – an efficient, practical framework for business is key to sustainable development."
'Cooperation within the potato industry more important than ever'
Olaf Feuerborn, chairman of UNIKA, agreed with the opening address of the DKHV president in his welcoming address. He also emphasized the necessary, but already successful, cooperation within the European potato industry and stressed the urgency of countering the growing challenges posed in particular by pests such as the planthopper.
The International Berliner Kartoffelabend of the DKHV was thus not only an evening of encounters and exchanges, but also sent a strong signal for the future viability and the critical role of the European potato industry.
The 20th International Berliner Kartoffelabend will take place on February 3, 2026, at a new location. Initial planning has already begun, and the location promises a special atmosphere. Further details will soon be announced on LinkedIn and the DKHV website.
For more information:
DKHV
www.dkhv.org