Cooperation between NÖS and EUROPLANT will be expanded

Lüneburg, January 2026 | The long-standing and trusting cooperation between the two potato breeding and marketing companies Niederösterreichische Saatbaugenossenschaft Meires (NÖS) and EUROPLANT Pflanzenzucht GmbH is being further expanded and broadened through additional agreements on the representation of selected potato varieties in Germany and Austria.

The representation of all EUROPLANT starch varieties in Austria by NÖS is already contractually regulated and will be regularly updated as new EUROPLANT varieties are approved. In addition, NÖS already represents several table varieties. Here, too, the aim is to expand the range in the future. 

After several years of trials, the representation agreements for the NÖS varieties in Germany

• NÖSTLING – very early pre-germinated variety
• XERXES – medium-late starch variety
• VIOLET STAR – purple, medium-early special variety

have now been signed by EUROPLANT at the OPEN DAYS in the Netherlands. At the same time, new rules were agreed upon for cooperation regarding licensed varieties in general and specifically for the DITTA variety.

Among other things, NÖS is already multiplying several varieties on behalf of EUROPLANT for export to various countries. EUROPLANT is also active with its own propagation cultivation via LIZ Weißkirchen in Murtal/Styria, where it multiplies approx. 120 hectares of various varieties, both for the local market and for export. The special location in the Murtal valley enables low-virus production of seed potatoes there.

NÖS Chairman and CEO Erich Kaltenböck and Managing Director Michael Buxbaum from NÖS are very positive about the general cooperation between the two companies: ‘We look forward to the expert management of our varieties in Germany and have high expectations for the expanded cooperation trough the variety representation agreements.’

‘Both companies have been working together at various levels for many years. It is not only their geographical proximity, similar consumer habits and growing conditions that make the varieties mutually interesting. In particular, the open and fair personal interaction with each other makes the cooperation so pleasant,’ says EUROPLANT authorised signatory Daniel Probst, who is responsible for Austria and the neighbouring countries of Slovenia and Switzerland as Area Manager for the Alpine region.

EUROPLANT Managing Director Jörg Eggers adds: ‘We expect that the NÖSTLING variety will significantly strengthen our range in the very early season, rounding off our overall range from very early to late. In addition, the cooperation in contract propagation is a positive thing for both sides. This year in particular, we are benefiting from very good virus values in the high altitudes of the Waldviertel region and will also use some quantities in Germany for further propagation.’