Building a Resilient Potato Supply Chain Together

The leading international trade fair in Kortrijk (Belgium) will open its doors from November 29 to December 1, 2026, to address new market challenges, sustainability, and technological innovation in the sector.

INTERPOM will bring together the international potato industry at Kortrijk Xpo (Belgium). INTERPOM welcomes growers, contractors, processors, packers, and professionals involved in the trade of fresh and processed potatoes from around the world. Fully booked once again, the exhibition offers an up-to-date overview of market developments, price trends, and innovations across the sector. Under the theme “Growing Resilience in a Changing World”, this year’s event focuses on the resilience and adaptability of the potato industry.

Resilience in a changing world

With 332 exhibitors from 15 countries, INTERPOM will bring together the leading brands in the potato
industry. The exhibition covers the entire potato supply chain, from seed potatoes, soil cultivation machinery, potato harvesters and crop protection products to precision agriculture, storage systems, sorting equipment, peeling and cutting machinery, and packaging lines. The trade and marketing of fresh and processed potatoes are also an integral part of the offering.

The previous edition of INTERPOM took place in autumn 2024, when potato growing was particularly
profitable and confidence across the sector was high. Two years later, the industry faces a different market dynamic, with abundant supply and low free-market prices for potatoes destined for industrial processing. Both growers and buyers must adapt to changing market conditions. Against this backdrop, INTERPOM has chosen ‘Growing Resilience in a Changing World’ as its theme. The exhibition aims to highlight the resilience of the potato industry: its ability to adapt to changing circumstances and continue to look ahead, even in challenging times.

INTERPOM is not only an opportunity to discover the latest technologies and solutions, but also a unique platform for exchanging knowledge and experiences and building new professional relationships. It is through conversations and encounters on the exhibition floor that new ideas emerge and collaboration between the various links in the value chain is strengthened. In this way, INTERPOM contributes to a potato sector that tackles tomorrow’s challenges together.

Christophe Vermeulen, CEO Belgapom:

“The potato world never stands still, and every new growing season brings its own unique set of circumstances. This year is certainly no exception. On the eve of Interpom 2024, all indicators were pointing in the right direction: the sector was thriving, and confidence was exceptionally high. Twenty-four months later, the landscape looks somewhat different. Geopolitical uncertainty, trade barriers, and significantly increased competition from Asia have disrupted the global potato processing industry. Extreme weather conditions, reduced crop protection options, and increasingly demanding sustainability requirements have also made potato production more challenging and more expensive.  The Belgian processing and trading sectors are facing years of strategic reorientation and, according to some, a genuine reset. Our renowned resilience is being put to the test, and with this edition of Interpom, we want to show that we are embracing that challenge with both hands. We are potatoes. And we are here to stay.”

Conferences and Roundtables on the Potato of Tomorrow

Belgapom, the professional association representing the potato trade and processing industry in Belgium, has developed a program structured around three key themes, spanning the three days of the trade fair: the potato of the future, water management, and the factory of the future. Each theme explores a different aspect of long-term resilience and sustainability.

Each day begins with a keynote address by a renowned expert, followed in the afternoon by roundtable discussions that provide an in-depth analysis of the sector’s challenges and potential solutions. The program includes:

• Sunday, November 29: Supply Resilience – The Potato of the Future (featuring presentations on New Genomic Techniques (NGTs) as a driver of change for Europe).
• Monday, November 30: Water Resilience – Water Management for the Future (lessons from the past and water-related solutions for the sector).
  
  
• Tuesday, December 1: Operational Resilience – The Factory of the Future (financial perspectives and the impact of artificial intelligence in full-scale operation).

Innovation as an answer to the challenges facing the potato industry

The potato industry faces significant challenges, ranging from climate change and increasing pressure on water and natural resources to shifting trade flows, stricter regulations, and fluctuating energy costs. For several editions, INTERPOM has therefore placed innovation and sustainable solutions at the heart of its offering, both in cultivation and processing.

Research and innovation are essential to adapting to changing conditions and evolving consumer
expectations. To help visitors discover the most impactful innovations in an efficient and inspiring way, an independent panel of experts has selected the most noteworthy innovations presented by exhibitors.

These innovations will be announced in mid-November through INTERPOM’s communication channels and can be explored during the exhibition through the INNOVATION TOUR: a dedicated route highlighting the innovations that are particularly worth discovering.

Practical Information and Tickets

Registration and online ticket sales are now open at www.interpom.be. Pre-registration is mandatory for all visitors, including those who have an invitation or a discount code. The standard ticket price is 15 euros per person per day (or 7.50 euros when using a valid discount code).

• Dates: November 29 to December 1, 2026.
  
  
• Venue: Kortrijk Xpo (Belgium).
  
  
• Organization: An initiative of Belgapom, with practical management handled by Xpo Group bv.

More information