PotatoEurope returns to Germany on 9–10 September 2026, alongside the inaugural SugarBeet Expo, bringing the international potato and sugar beet industries together at the Rittergut Gestorf estate near Hanover.
Organized by the DLG (German Agricultural Society), the two agricultural trade fairs will be held under the theme “Make Your Business Grow”. Around 300 international exhibitors and approximately 12,000 trade visitors from Germany and abroad are expected to attend the event.
The joint platform will focus on professional potato and sugar beet production, with exhibitors showcasing agricultural machinery, new crop varieties, agricultural inputs, digital farming solutions, automation, robotics and production technologies.
PotatoEurope and SugarBeet Expo to showcase the full production chain
A major attraction of PotatoEurope 2026 and SugarBeet Expo 2026 will be the extensive live machinery demonstrations held under practical field conditions.
The potato machinery program will feature around 30 advanced machinery combinations, while the sugar beet demonstrations will include 10 machines and machine combinations covering modern sowing, harvesting, transport, cleaning and loading technologies.
Throughout the two-day event, visitors will have the opportunity to see machinery covering the complete root crop production chain, from potato planting and sugar beet sowing to crop protection, harvesting, transport, cleaning and loading.
The demonstrations will include one-, two- and four-row potato harvesters, sugar beet sowing machinery, row crop protection equipment, as well as six-, eight- and 12-row sugar beet harvesters.
Historic sugar beet harvesting technology takes the field
One of the highlights of SugarBeet Expo 2026 will be the special event “Historic Sugar Beet Harvesting Technology in Action”.
Taking place on 9 September from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., the live demonstration will trace the development of sugar beet harvesting technology from early one-row and two-row machines to later multi-row harvesting concepts.
Historic one-row, two-row and six-row sugar beet harvesters will be demonstrated in the field, allowing visitors to compare historical harvesting technologies with today’s highly automated systems.
The event will be presented in German by Dr. Oliver Schmittmann from the University of Bonn.
Digital farming and agricultural robotics in focus
Digitalization, automation, artificial intelligence and robotics will be among the key themes at PotatoEurope and SugarBeet Expo 2026.
The DLG Spotlight “Digital Farming powered by FarmRobotix” will showcase developments in autonomous machinery, smart sensors, AI-supported decision-making and data management for root crop production.
Live demonstrations and practical examples will highlight how autonomous machines and digital farming technologies can improve efficiency, precision and sustainability in agricultural production.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to explore robotic solutions, sensor technologies and data-driven crop management systems that are increasingly being integrated into practical farming operations.
Agricultural logistics from field to market
Another DLG Spotlight will focus on agricultural logistics, highlighting the importance of efficient transportation in potato and sugar beet production.
The “Agricultural Logistics – from the field to the world by truck” area will feature tractors, specialist trailers, moving-floor trailers, conveyor systems and potato boxes, alongside logistics software and other transport technologies.
The program will also address the legal and economic aspects of agricultural logistics. Martin Vaupel from the Chamber of Agriculture of Lower Saxony will be available to discuss visitors’ questions and provide insights into current logistics challenges.
Organic potato production takes center stage
PotatoEurope 2026 will also place a special focus on organic potato production with the DLG Spotlight “Organic Potatoes – sustainable production and successful marketing”.
The program will examine practical issues including variety selection, weed management and nutrient management without chemical-synthetic crop protection products.
Expert presentations, demonstrations and discussions will explore how organic potatoes can be produced sustainably while also being successfully positioned in the market.
DLG Expert Stage to address the future of potato and sugar beet production
The DLG Expert Stage will serve as the central forum for expert presentations and industry discussions throughout both event days.
Experts from agriculture, science and industry will discuss current developments, challenges and opportunities in the potato and sugar beet sectors. The program, running from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., will provide visitors with insights into the future of root crop production and the technologies shaping the sector.
With live machinery demonstrations, digital farming technologies, agricultural robotics, logistics solutions, organic production and expert discussions, PotatoEurope and SugarBeet Expo 2026 aim to provide an extensive overview of the latest developments across the potato and sugar beet production chains.
