The International Potato Tour (IPT) continues to bring readers closer to the global leaders of the potato industry. This time, the Potatoes.News team visited Kazakhstan, where we met with a representative of Solana, one of the world’s leading companies in seed potato breeding and production.
Kazakhstan — a Market and a Production Base
“Kazakhstan is not only a market but also a great place for potato production,” noted the Solana representative.
The company has been active in the region for many years, viewing Kazakhstan as a promising area both for local supply and for serving neighboring markets, including
A new potato crisp factory is expected to launch in Kazakhstan next year, and Solana is ready to provide special crisping varieties for this project.
“We are strong in the crisping sector. Solana has a broad portfolio of crisping varieties, but also several multipurpose ones suitable for French fries and other applications,” the expert explained.
Adapting to Climate and Technology in Kazakhstan
When asked about the difference between potato cultivation in Europe and Kazakhstan, the expert pointed to climate zones as the main factor.
“If you have a short growing season, you need early bulking varieties that can form a skin quickly and store well. But overall, potato growers are similar all over the world — whether it’s small farms or large-scale enterprises, everyone aims for quality and consistency,” he said.
Over the past 15 years, Kazakhstan’s agricultural technology has advanced significantly.
“When I first started working here 15 years ago, yields of 40 tons per hectare were considered good. Today, the average is 50–60 tons — that’s the new normal. Better equipment, fertilizers, crop protection, and seed material have transformed potato growing in Kazakhstan,” the Solana representative shared.
Edison — the Flagship Variety
When asked about his favorite variety, the expert didn’t hesitate:
“Right now, our flagship is Edison. Like its namesake Thomas Edison, it’s a multi-talent. It’s primarily a French fry variety, but also multipurpose. The key advantage is that it needs 30% less nitrogen compared to other varieties and can be stored at +4°C without quality loss. High yields, long storage life, and cost efficiency make it one of our best performers.”
Outlook
Solana continues to strengthen cooperation with Russian partners, expanding its local seed potato production network and adapting its portfolio to regional needs.
“Our goal is to have varieties suitable for all climate zones. That flexibility allows us to move seed potatoes between countries more easily, even with the logistical challenges of recent years,” the company representative concluded.
Interview recorded in Kazakhstan as part of the International Potato Tour (IPT).
Watch the full video on the Potatoes News YouTube channel.
https://potatoes.news/category/ipt
