Solana group presents major news on PotatoEurope

On September 8th and 9th, the Solana group exhibits at its own stand (No. ZC 05 in the tent area) at trade fair PotatoEurope in Bockerode, Hanover – nearly a home match for the North German potato breeder. The top event for international potato experts takes places in Germany for the second time after 2006. 150 exhibitors from 12 countries as well as 10.000 visitors are being expected.

A lot has changed for the Solana group this year: True to the motto "More quality. More flexibility. More internationality." the Solana GmbH & Co. KG assumes distribution and marketing of SaKa potato varieties in Germany from July 1st, 2010. So far, this has been solely business of SaKa Pflanzenzucht GmbH & Co. KG, while Solana, being an independent commercial enterprise, was in charge of the distribution of the SaKa varieties in international potato business. The distribution of seed stock for farmers, manufacturing and trade in Germany is carried out completely by Solana since July 1st. The company has become authorized user of the varieties as well, while SaKa remains holder of the potato varieties and concentrates further on breeding and research.

The primary reason for the reorganization is the growing international focus of Solana, especially in consideration of the decreasing boundaries in Europe. „We are happy to show our company’s new structure on this main event in potato business“, says managing director Torsten Spill. „We want to take this opportunity and present this internal reorganization to our business partners and customers, being one of our main focuses.“

In the course of Solana’s restructuring, the website of the North German potato breeder appears in new makeup, as well. At www.solana.de visitors find new functions and visual innovations. „Besides our company’s restructuring, we wished to adjust our external image by our internet presence“, says Spill. „We are very satisfied with the outcome. A broad relaunch with a reasoned concept, informative, structured and modern – we are glad to present this news on the PotatoEurope.“ 

Furthermore, true to the motto „Ideas, impulses and innovations“ the trade fair will be the international forum for breeders, farmers, consultants and trade. Potato growers find information on how to develop new market potentials, modern creating of high-grade products and strategies for plant protection. At Solana’s exhibition stand, visitors get the opportunity to have a look at fresh tubers for different requirements, such as table potatoes and varieties for the production of crisps, French fries and starch.

Solana’s highlight this year: Besides new breeds and high-grade varieties the top varieties in particular are presented, which did an outstanding performance this season: „In the segment of table potatoes, there are Verona, which is a high yielding and attractive variety and Campina, a cooking type A variety that is very successful on the wholefood market“, says Spill. „Among the early varieties, the cooking type C Miranda, the cooking type B Toscana and Primadonna, which is increasingly in demand in foreign countries, stood out. Finessa is a very successful variety as well, being main crop, cooking type A and suitable for storage and organic farming. Among the special varieties, Verdi, Opal and Caruso for the production of crips and Ludmilla for the production of French fries did a very good performance this year.“