Jersey’s new potato growers are watching developments in Scotland after details emerged of a new branding exercise by Albert Bartlett & Sons, one of Scotland’s best known packers and distributors.
Three new regional potato brands were highlighted in an ad placed by Bartlett in last week’s issue of The Grocer.
The potatoes go under the names of Ayrshire Royals, Cornish Royals and Suffolk Royals. Royals have long been closely associated with Jersey and owe their origin to the same single variety - the International Kidney. Efforts to grow the International Kidney both in the UK and abroad have previously met with limited success and Paddy Graham-Jones, potato
technologist for Bartlett, said it had been challenging.
Production is at trial stages but the varieties will be shown to potential customers shortly.
Graham-Jones emphasised that Barlett’s three ranges of potatoes - with more regional varieties planned - would not compete with Jersey Royals because they would be available only after the Jersey season was over.
“We would expect to supply retailers from mid-summer until early autumn. It merely extends the season.”
Tom Binet, MD of Jersey Royal Potato Marketing, set up last Christmas to sell the whole crop, and also the largest grower on the island accounting for 40% of exports, said: “We know it is possible to grow International Kidney in other parts of the UK.
“However, we do not see this conflicting with us because Jersey Royals have a taste of their own, and a seasonal window which runs ahead of the UK. We are confident our product will remain the premium early season variety.”
Virtually all Jersey’s 30,000-40,000 tonne crop, which has become known as Jersey Royals, is exported to the UK mainly between May and July.
David Shapley