TY - JOUR
T1 - Nordic Countries as an Opportunity for Sustainable, Low Pest Seed Potato Production in a Climate Change Scenario
AU - Albrectsen, Benedicte Riber
AU - Mäkinen, Kristiina
AU - Mahawar, Lovely
AU - Mishra, Arti
AU - Abuley, Isaac Kwesi
AU - Veillon, Isalyne
AU - Gopan, Apsara Indhu
AU - Sajeevan, Radha Sivarajan
AU - Resjö, Svante
AU - Andreasson, Erik
AU - Liljeroth, Erland
AU - Marhavý, Peter
AU - Rossmann, Simeon Lim
AU - Hansen, Jens Grønbech
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2025.
PY - 2025/12
Y1 - 2025/12
N2 - Based on discussions within the Northern Tubers of Potato network (N’TOP-net), this review highlights northern Scandinavia’s potential for sustainable, low pest seed potato production. While long transport distances currently limit large-scale supply for consumption or processing, low pest pressure and stricter EU plant protection regulations increase its value for seed production. Climate change is expected to extend the growing season, driving renewed interest in Northern Scandinavia’s role in European food security. Finland exemplifies this potential, and parts of northern and central Sweden—historically suppliers of disease-free seed potatoes, even exported to Brazil—offer expansion opportunities. Nordic potato production, key biotic stressors, and opportunities for regional cooperation are examined, with a focus on novel farming practices, breeding innovations, and disease surveillance to improve resilience and sustainability. Despite shared values in cultivar selection, certification, and potato preferences, Nordic production strategies remain uncoordinated for long-term sustainability. We advocate for transnational, interdisciplinary collaboration to enhance Europe’s food security through joint efforts in three key areas: (1) soil-conserving farming, (2) breeding for adaptation to longer day length and resistance traits, and (3) transnational pest and disease surveillance. A Nordic potato initiative can strengthen European cooperation on sustainable production amid climate change. However, as policies must balance the benefits of longer growing seasons with emerging risks such as pests, droughts, and flooding, coordinated research, regulatory adaptation, and climate resilience investments are essential for safeguarding seed potato quality, food security, and supply chain stability.
AB - Based on discussions within the Northern Tubers of Potato network (N’TOP-net), this review highlights northern Scandinavia’s potential for sustainable, low pest seed potato production. While long transport distances currently limit large-scale supply for consumption or processing, low pest pressure and stricter EU plant protection regulations increase its value for seed production. Climate change is expected to extend the growing season, driving renewed interest in Northern Scandinavia’s role in European food security. Finland exemplifies this potential, and parts of northern and central Sweden—historically suppliers of disease-free seed potatoes, even exported to Brazil—offer expansion opportunities. Nordic potato production, key biotic stressors, and opportunities for regional cooperation are examined, with a focus on novel farming practices, breeding innovations, and disease surveillance to improve resilience and sustainability. Despite shared values in cultivar selection, certification, and potato preferences, Nordic production strategies remain uncoordinated for long-term sustainability. We advocate for transnational, interdisciplinary collaboration to enhance Europe’s food security through joint efforts in three key areas: (1) soil-conserving farming, (2) breeding for adaptation to longer day length and resistance traits, and (3) transnational pest and disease surveillance. A Nordic potato initiative can strengthen European cooperation on sustainable production amid climate change. However, as policies must balance the benefits of longer growing seasons with emerging risks such as pests, droughts, and flooding, coordinated research, regulatory adaptation, and climate resilience investments are essential for safeguarding seed potato quality, food security, and supply chain stability.
KW - Climate change adaptation
KW - Food security strategy
KW - Potato disease management
KW - Seed potato production
KW - Sustainable farming
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105019403577
U2 - 10.1007/s11540-025-09935-0
DO - 10.1007/s11540-025-09935-0
M3 - Review
AN - SCOPUS:105019403577
SN - 0014-3065
VL - 68
SP - 4623
EP - 4651
JO - Potato Research
JF - Potato Research
IS - 4
ER -