Unlocking the future of potato storage
This year’s Potato Association of America (PAA) annual meeting, scheduled for July 27-31 in Madison, Wisconsin, will include a dedicated symposium titled Spotlight on Storage on July 28. The event will be hosted by the Utilization and Marketing section of the PAA and the North American Potato Storage Organization (NAPSO).
As part of PAA’s mission to collect and disseminate scientific information relating to all phases of the potato industry and NAPSO’s goal to elevate the profile of potato storage management, the symposium will bring together industry leaders, researchers and storage professionals.
The symposium will cover key topics related to postharvest storage, including disease control, storage engineering and best practices for maximizing quality and profitability in long-term storage.
Speakers, including keynote speaker Kürt Demeulemeester, a leading potato storage expert from Belgium’s Inagro Research Center, will provide valuable insights to the potato industry in an era of evolving regulations and technologies. NAPSO was founded on a simple realization: Potatoes spend more time in storage than they do in the ground. While much of the focus has been on agronomy and field production, the storage season is equally critical to ensuring quality, reducing losses and maximizing returns.
NAPSO was established to provide storage managers with the information to enhance storage outcomes. Over the past year, the organization has delivered multiple webinars, training programs and industry panels focused on best storage management practices.
NAPSO is committed to being product- and company-neutral, focusing on education and knowledge exchange. Its initiatives include:
- Webinars with industry experts discussing topics such as pre-season sanitation, disease reduction and sprout control
- Storage safety resources, including training videos and toolbox talks, available in five languages
- Industry panels at events, such as the Potato Expo, where growers, agronomists and researchers share their experiences
- A monthly newsletter addressing storage challenges and solutions
The symposium will have a global perspective with Demeulemeester, who has extensive experience in postharvest storage across the EU. He will provide perspective on storage management in the wake of chlorpropham (CIPC) bans and regulatory changes in Europe.
His presentation, “The EU in a Post-CIPC World,” will explore topics such as how storage facilities have adapted following the discontinuation of CIPC, alternative strategies for disease and sprout control, and lessons North American growers can learn from the European experience.
With the North American industry facing increasing scrutiny over chemical use and sustainability practices, Demeulemeester’s insights will help the industry with future regulatory shifts.
Additional sessions will provide practical, research-backed solutions that storage managers can implement immediately to improve operations.
DISEASE IN STORAGE
This session will provide information on identifying and managing storage diseases as well as best practices for preventing contamination and minimizing losses.
STORAGE MANAGEMENT PANEL
A panel of growers, researchers and storage professionals will discuss topics including temperature and humidity management, airflow optimization and cost-effective storage modifications.
STORAGE ENGINEERING AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Discussions will provide insights into how facility design, ventilation systems and new technologies can enhance storage efficiency, as well as practices for energy management and long-term sustainability.
PREHARVEST PREPARATION
Attendees will learn how field conditions impact storage success and tips for optimizing harvest timing and curing practices to improve storability.
The symposium is expected to attract growers, agronomists, storage managers, researchers and other industry stakeholders. Given the complexities of storage management, this event represents an opportunity to gain insights, network with peers and understand industry trends. Whether you are a storage facility operator, a farm manager looking to optimize long-term storage or a researcher focused on postharvest solutions, this symposium will provide actionable knowledge to enhance your storage strategies.
Meeting and registration information is at potatoassociation.org/ PAA2025. One-day registration including the symposium is available.
For more information, visit napso.info.
Jonathan Whitworth is president of the Potato Association of America and a USDA-Agricultural Research Service research plant pathologist.
