The World Potato Congress (WPC) Inc. announces Kenya will be hosting the 2026 World Potato Congress in October/November 2026. This location change comes following an agreement reached between the Polish Potato Federation (PPF) and WPC to cancel the event scheduled for Gdansk, Poland in June of 2026. 

In late March 2025, the WPC Board of Directors reviewed the formal request led by the National Potato Council (NPCK) of Kenya to have its initial bid reconsidered for a future Congress.  “Initially, the 2026 Congress had been awarded to Kenya.” says president Dr. Peter VanderZaag “And it had been with great regret to announce in May of 2024 that the WPC would need to step away to allow for Kenya to further develop contractual relationships in country.”

“Hosting a World Potato Congress comes with many important factors to be considered,” says VanderZaag. “We are excited that the Kenya host committee was immediate and proactive in addressing the key areas to ensure a global success story for their country.” 

The World Potato Congress aims to contribute to ending extreme poverty and improving food security around the globe. By hosting this event in Kenya, the Congress will spotlight the importance of potatoes as a vital food crop and its potential to drive inclusive economic growth, particularly for youth and women in the sector.” 

The key organizers of this event will include the National Potato Council of Kenya representing the potato industry, FreshCrop Limited representing the private sector with technical and organizational support from the International Potato Center (CIP).  

“With the engagement of global potato industry and local potato organizations, backed by corporate sponsors, we have been able to obtain the logistical resources needed to pull off the event at the caliber expected by the WPC and its partners.” says Wachira Kaguongo, WPC international advisor and CEO of the National Potato Council of Kenya.

Source:  World Potato Congress May 5, 2025 news release