The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Emerging varieties of potato gain ground
trend: Reported increase in contracts offered in the packing market
Maris Piper continues to reign as king of potato varieties, with three times more planted than the next most popular packing variety.
However levy body AHDB has revealed British potato growers have planted an increased area of emerging varieties to serve the fresh packing market where prices and contracts are agreed in advance with supermarkets.
According to the AHDB’s estimates, the varieties that have gained the most area this season are fresh packing potatoes Nectar and Melody, which increased their area by 1,000 hectares (ha) and 700 ha respectively.
Meanwhile Estima has decreased in area by an estimated 400 ha this season.
AHDB Potatoes market intelligence analyst Amber Cottingham said the packing market had seen another increase in area this season while the acreage intended for processing had declined.
“This may be due to a reported increase in contracts offered in the packing market as retailers seek to reduce the financial fluctuations they encounter in meeting demand,” she said.
“There continues to be some changes in the top 10 list, as newer varieties designed to suit today’s needs, both at an agronomic and consumer level, continue to increase in popularity.
“Likewise, some of the biggest losers this year are older varieties, which are being replaced by newer alternatives.”
The area planted that is intended to supply the fresh retail sector has increased for the second year in a row to an estimated 38% of the total planted area in Great Britain, while the area planted to serve the processing sector has decreased, also for the second year running, to 29%.
Ms Cottingham said area changes could be closely linked to the price paid the previous season.
She added: “For the packing sector, this has likely had an impact, as many prices were favourable during the 2015-16 and much of the 2016-17 season, up to the point when planting decisions would have been taking place.”
Newer varieties designed to suit today’s needs, both at an agronomic and consumer level, continue to increase in popularity. AMBER COTTINGHAM