The German Potato Trade Association (DKHV) and the Union of the German Potato Industry (UNIKA) have welcomed Dr. Illya Kolba (40) as their new joint Managing Director. He will assume the position on 1 August 2026 and will, in future, represent the interests of the German potato industry together with the governing bodies of both associations in dealings with policymakers, industry stakeholders, and the public.
With Dr. Kolba, DKHV and UNIKA are appointing an experienced expert in political communication, public affairs, and association management. He joins from the OVID Association of the Oilseed Processing Industry in Germany, where he has served for more than seven years as Manager of Public Relations and Public Affairs. In this role, he was responsible for key aspects of political advocacy, committee coordination, and strategic association communications at both the federal and European Union levels.
His areas of expertise include agricultural and food policy, food and supply security, innovations in plant breeding, sustainable agricultural production, agricultural markets, and trade policy. In addition, Dr. Kolba brings extensive experience in working with industry associations, alliance organisations, and companies across the agricultural value chain, as well as coordinating joint industry positions. Among his responsibilities, he managed the secretariat of the Grain Club, where he played a central coordinating and liaison role.
“With Dr. Illya Kolba, we are gaining a recognised expert in political communication, association management, and agricultural policy,” said Olaf Feuerborn, Chairman of UNIKA, and Thomas Herkenrath, President of DKHV. “He combines strategic thinking with a clear understanding of the needs of our member companies. His experience in representing industry interests at both the national and European levels will strengthen our associations and provide important momentum for the continued development of the German potato industry.”
Dr. Illya Kolba said: “The potato industry is a high-performing and diverse sector that plays an important role in agriculture, food production, and value creation in Germany. I am very much looking forward to working together with the voluntary governing bodies, our member companies, and the teams of both associations to address the challenges ahead and represent the interests of the industry with a strong, united voice.”
UNIKA and DKHV look forward to working with Dr. Illya Kolba and wish him every success as he begins his new role.
The German Potato Trade Association (DKHV) is an independent trade organisation representing the interests of around 160 potato trading companies, packers, peeling businesses, breeders, growers, packaging manufacturers, and producers of potato-processing technology.
The Union of the German Potato Industry (UNIKA) serves as the umbrella organisation for Germany’s potato sector, bringing together every stage of the potato value chain—from breeding, seed potato production and multiplication, to primary production, packing and trading, as well as upstream and downstream industries.
