This is a subscriber-only article
Irish farmers grew 346,246 tonnes of fresh potatoes last year, worth an impressive €85m at the farmgate.
You would be forgiven for believing that your Saturday night treat of a bag of chips is included in that tally.
Not so, according to IFA potato chairman Eddie Doyle.
“The majority of Irish chips are made from potatoes imported from England,” he pointed out. “There are 60,000t of potatoes imported into this country every year for chips.”
Irish growers are limited to just 20% to 25% of the chipping market, something that Doyle is determined to change.
Undermined
“The chip shop trade is being undemined by cheap English imports,” he warned. “When Irish potatoes are equally as good and have a far lower carbon footprint, because they are grown here.”
Doyle is aiming to replace at least 30,000t of English chip potatoes with Irish potatoes.
“There are newer varieties being bred in this country in the last 10 years which are more suitable for growing in this climate. Traditionally, the variety for chips was Maris Piper, but there are new varieties now such as Markie and Ramos being grown in Ireland.”
Pupils from Donard National School visited Ryan’s farm in Ballywilliam, Co Wexford, for National Potato Day. Pictured are Catriona Brennan, fourth class, and Ciara Ralph, second class.\ Mary Browne
Today is National Potato Day and Doyle called for retailers to recognise and respect the massive investments potato growers have made in machinery and cold storage to ensure a continuous 12-month supply of Irish product.
“Potatoes must be sold as a premium product and not used in any retail practices that undermine the primary producer,” he urged.
Vital jobs
He urged members of the public to choose Irish potatoes ahead of other imported produce, to support vital jobs in the rural economy.
Doyle also asked the hotel and catering sectors to ensure that their suppliers are sourcing Irish produce.
SHARING OPTIONS: