PotatoEurope returns to Germany alongside the new SugarBeet Expo, 9-10 September 2026 – Rittergut Gestorf estate near Hanover – Around 300 international exhibitors expected – Three DLG Spotlights; Trial plots, demonstration fields and DLG Expert Stage – Numerous live machinery demonstrations covering the complete production chain – Historic Sugar Beet Harvesting Technology in Action –
Under the guiding theme “Make Your Business Grow”, PotatoEurope and the inaugural SugarBeet Expo event will open their gates in September at the Rittergut Gestorf estate near Hanover, Germany. Held together on 9 and 10 September 2026, the two trade fairs offer a joint platform dedicated to professional potato and sugar beet production, featuring some 300 exhibitors, extensive machinery demonstrations, three DLG Spotlights, trial plots and demonstration fields, a comprehensive expert programme and the special event “Historic Sugar Beet Harvesting Technology in Action”.
The organizer, DLG (German Agricultural Society), expects some 300 exhibitors from around the world and approximately 12,000 trade visitors from Germany and abroad. Complementing the exhibition program, the technical program of both events combines knowledge transfer, machinery demonstrations and professional exchange, covering new varieties, agricultural inputs, digitalization, field production techniques, automation and robotics. These topics are explored through specialist forums, expert discussions, practical debate formats, as well as robotics and machinery demonstrations.
Machinery demonstrations: from sowing and planting to harvest and logistics
Potato machinery demonstrations are made up of 30 pieces of advanced potato equipment combinations that will be presented live in the field. In the sugar beet sector, ten machines and machine combinations will demonstrate modern sowing technology, high-capacity sugar beet harvesters, and solutions for transport, cleaning and loading.
The machinery demonstrations throughout both days will cover the complete root-crop production chain, from sugar beet sowing and potato planting to crop protection, harvesting, transport, cleaning and loading. Visitors will be able to compare potato planting equipment, one-, two- and four-row potato harvesters, sugar beet sowing machinery, crop protection technology for row crops, 6-, 8- and 12-row sugar beet harvesters, as well as transport, cleaning and loading systems under practical field conditions. In the North Live-Demo Area, continuous demonstrations of transport, cleaning and loading technology will run from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sugar beet harvesting demonstrations are scheduled from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and again from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The machinery demonstration program will be repeated on the second event day, providing visitors with additional opportunities to compare equipment and observe machines under working conditions. w w w. potatoeurope. de/en/programme/machine-demonstrations
New event: Historic Sugar Beet Harvesting Technology in Action
A key highlight is the event “Historic Sugar Beet Harvesting Technology in Action”, taking place on 9 September from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on the sugar beet harvesting demonstration area located in the northern part of the grounds.
The live show will present the development of sugar beet harvesting technology from early one-row and two-row harvesters through to later multi-row concepts, offering visitors a unique opportunity to compare historical engineering solutions with today’s highly automated harvesting systems. Historic one-row, two-row and six-row sugar beet harvesters will be demonstrated live in the field. Commentary will be provided in German by Dr. Oliver Schmittmann from the University of Bonn.
DLG Spotlight: Digital Farming powered by FarmRobotix
One of the key attractions for farm professionals is the DLG Spotlight “Digital Farming powered by FarmRobotix”.
In this area, DLG will present the latest developments in robotics, automation, artificial intelligence and data management for root crop production. Live demonstrations, practical examples and expert discussions will showcase how autonomous machinery and digital systems can contribute to greater efficiency, precision and sustainability in crop production.
Visitors will experience robotic and autonomous solutions, smart sensor technologies, AI-supported decision-support systems and innovative approaches to data-driven crop management that are already finding their way into practical farming.
DLG Spotlight: Agricultural Logistics – from the field to the world by truck
As transport logistics plays a crucial role in both potato and sugar beet production, PotatoEurope and SugarBeet Expo are dedicating a Spotlight to agricultural logistics. The area will feature tractors and specialist trailers, including moving-floor trailers, conveyor systems and potato boxes, as well as covering technologies and logistics software. The spotlight will also address legal and economic aspects of agricultural logistics. Martin Vaupel from the Chamber of Agriculture of Lower Saxony will be available to answer visitors’ questions
DLG Spotlight: Organic Potatoes – sustainable production and successful marketing
This year’s event will highlight the opportunities and challenges of organic potato production.
Visitors will receive practical insights into variety selection, weed control and nutrient management without the use of chemical-synthetic crop protection products.
Presentations, short demonstrations and discussions with experts will show how organic potatoes can be produced sustainably and successfully positioned in the market.
DLG Expert Stage: platform for discussions and expert presentations
The DLG Expert Stage serves as the central platform for presentations and discussions with experts from farming, science and industry. Throughout both event days, visitors can attend presentations and panel discussions covering the latest developments in the potato and sugar beet sectors.
From 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., leading experts will provide forward-looking insights into key challenges and opportunities facing the industry.
Trial plots and demonstration fields
Trial plots will showcase new varieties, fertiliser programmes and crop protection measures under practical conditions.
Together with the Seed Growers Association of Lower Saxony (SEG) and the Dethlingen Trial Station (VSD), the Chamber of Agriculture of Lower Saxony will present six plots addressing current agronomic challenges in potato production.
Adjacent to these plots, six sugar beet fields managed by Nordzucker AG, the sugar beet growers’ associations, ARGE NORD and the Chamber of Agriculture will showcase current developments in sugar beet cultivation.
A common theme across all trial areas is the search for solutions that will ensure the economic viability and competitiveness of root crop production in the future.
Tickets and travel
PotatoEurope and SugarBeet Expo are easily accessible by car and rail. Hanover Airport also offers convenient access for international visitors, with travel time to the event site taking around one hour.
A free shuttle service will operate between Bennigsen railway station and the exhibition grounds.
Visitors can also take advantage of special Deutsche Bahn travel offers. Advance tickets are available online.
The admission ticket costs 22 euros in advance sales and provides access to both PotatoEurope and the parallel SugarBeet Expo on both event days.
Partners
The State of Lower Saxony is the exclusive partner of both exhibitions
The Union der Deutschen Kartoffelwirtschaft e. V. (UNIKA) is the institutional partner and initiator of PotatoEurope 2026, while Golden Geest-Kartoffeln Erzeugergesellschaft mbH serves as the regional partner.
The institutional partner of SugarBeet Expo is the Wirtschaftliche Vereinigung Zucker e. V. (WVZ), with Nordzucker AG serving as regional partner. Case IH is the exclusive tractor partner of the event
