27 Sep 2026 Global Potato Industry General partnerAVGUST
The Global Potato Industry
Germany·News·Processing

Heidesand Cooperative Opens State-of-the-Art 10,000 m² Packaging Center for Potatoes and Onions in Germany

1 min read Updated
Heidesand Cooperative Opens State-of-the-Art 10,000 m² Packaging Center for Potatoes and Onions in Germany

Key takeaways

  • New packing centre of about 10,000 m²
  • Handles potatoes and onions
  • Covers sorting, washing, grading, packaging
  • Automation cuts manual handling and damage
  • Operations consolidated on one site

Why it matters

For farmers
Member growers gain packing capacity nearby, which shortens haulage and with it the bruising that comes from moving product between sites.
For processors
Sorting, washing, grading and packing in one building removes the inter-stage transport that damages tubers and adds cost.

60-second summary

The German cooperative Heidesand has opened a packing centre of roughly 10,000 square metres for potatoes and onions, built to take the whole post-harvest sequence — sorting, washing, grading and final packaging — under one roof. The stated aims are capacity and a shorter regional supply chain, with produce reaching retail partners faster. Automation is used to reduce manual handling, which is where product damage usually comes from, and to control water and energy use. Consolidating packing on one site also cuts transport distances between stages and the emissions attached to them.

10,000 m²floor area of the new packing centre
General partnerCrop protection for the potato industry

The German agricultural cooperative Heidesand has taken a major step forward by inaugurating a new, cutting-edge packaging center dedicated to potatoes and onions. Spanning approximately 10,000 square meters, the facility represents a substantial long-term investment in the future of the produce industry. Designed with modern logistics and food safety standards in mind, the center streamlines the entire post-harvest process—from sorting and washing to grading and final packaging. This expansion not only boosts the cooperative’s operational capacity but also strengthens its regional supply chain, ensuring fresher products reach retail partners and consumers more efficiently than ever before.

Beyond its sheer scale, the new packaging hub underscores Heidesand’s commitment to innovation and sustainability. Equipped with advanced automation technology, the center minimizes manual handling, reduces product damage, and optimizes resource usage, including water and energy consumption. By consolidating packaging operations under one roof, the cooperative enhances quality control while cutting down on transportation distances and associated emissions. This strategic move positions Heidesand as a forward-thinking leader in the German vegetable sector, capable of meeting growing market demands while maintaining high ecological and economic standards for years to come.

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