"We have opened up a new site where we wash potatoes for wholesale, catering and export," explains Oliver Boutwood, Commercial Director at the company. "Under the Oliver brand we do boxed baker potatoes and salad potatoes."
"This is not a new innovation, there are a lot of people doing it, but as our company is getting bigger we feel the need to branch out into new categories and to add value to our potatoes. Our customers are now also asking for the products."
Isle of Ely Produce were at Berlin for the first time: Oliver Boutwood and Amanda Waterfield.
A majority of Isle of Ely's potatoes are sourced in the UK, but they also source from France, Israel and Spain.
"We are trying to develop export markets in the Nordic countries and the Far and Middle East, such as Dubai and Singapore. We see opportunities for our products outside the UK."
The UK is not traditionally an export country for fresh produce but Oliver said they are embracing Brexit as an export opportunity, "Everyone is a bit worried as to what will happen but we see it as an opportunity for new trade. A lot of our customers buy from other European countries so sourcing from the UK is not a big change for them really."
The exports will be aimed at the food service industry and chefs. Oliver explains that he wants to get potatoes back on plates again, as carbohydrates have been getting a lot of bad press lately.
"With the Oliver's brand we want to educate chefs to buy the right variety of potato for the dish he is creating, for example for a jacket potato you want a nice fluffy potato, for a baby roast potato the right flavour is important for the consumer to enjoy the potato and start eating them again."
"Its nothing new, just a case of educating the new generation of chefs and saying 'Hey don't forget about potatoes!' There are so many things you can do with them, they are an important product."
For more information:Oliver Boutwood
Isle of Ely Produce
Tel: +44 1353 863355
Email: o.boutwood@isleofely.co.uk
www.isleofely.co.uk