In 2018, Ireland produced approximately 2,825t of certified potato seed, in line with 2017 production figures.
However, the amount of certified seed required in the country amounts to 8,225t.
This doesn’t indicate the total amount of seed required in the country, as many save seed produced from certified seed.
This figure is not recorded by the Department of Agriculture.
Of the total amount certified required, 65% of this was imported.
The breakdown of seed imports can be seen in Table 1.
Of the 5,400t of certified seed imported in 2018, 95% of this originated from the UK.
The breakdown of seed imports from the UK can be seen in Table 2 (below).
Seed imports from Scotland represent the largest country of origin, with over 3,000t imported from the Scottish growers.
Interestingly, seed imports from Northern Ireland increased by 80% in 2018 when compared with 2017.
Despite a challenging year in the North in 2017, seed potatoes and their quality was good.
2019 seed supply
The true impact of the difficult year on 2019 seed supply has yet to materialise.
While much of the seed crops were grown in areas that were least affected by the drought in both Ireland and the UK, yields are still likely to be reduced, which will put pressure on seed availability.
Those who tend to keep home-saved seed this year may have been forced to use the sprout suppressant maleic hydrazide, which means that the crop can no longer be used for seed.
Brexit fears
There has been much talk about the impact of a hard Brexit on seed supply in recent weeks.
This is an issue which was flagged throughout 2018, but its likelihood is after increasing substantially recently.
According to Teagasc, around 40% to 50% of Rooster and Kerr’s Pink seed comes from the UK; for other varieties it is significantly higher.
If Brexit is triggered on 29 March 2019, this could delay the supply of seed and other goods coming into Ireland.
If there is a hard Brexit, then WTO trade terms would commence.
Under WTO terms, vegetables including mushrooms and potatoes either trading across the Irish border to go to Britain or going straight to the island would carry a tariff of approximately 7.5%.
This would also impact on seed potatoes and Irish imports from Scotland.