Weather conditions at the start of the year were good for PDO Ile de Ré (Protected Designation of Origin) early potatoes. Harvest, which is plentiful, began on the 20th April and will continue until mid-June.
The agricultural cooperative, Uniré, who carry out over 95% of the harvest, have estimated that they will market about 2,000 tons of the potato, which is normally sold at €3- €6/kilo at the moment (79% of stock is sold in large supermarkets). This is 30% higher than last season.
22 farmers on the Ile de Ré farm the early PDO potato (alcmaria, charlotte and carrera varieties) over about 150 hectares, alongside their vineyards, which are their main activity. Potato farming is a seasonal, but lucrative activity on the island, with a turnover that will reach €2-€2.5 million this year.