Ibérica de Patatas, leader in the marketing of potatoes for consumption in Spain, is again selling the new potatoes from Malaga, the first Spanish potato of the season. The product will remain available from this week until early May in supermarkets and hypermarkets across Spain.
The new potato from Malaga is a unique product that, on the one hand, adds value to the usual supply of potatoes at this time, which consists mostly of French potatoes or new potatoes from countries like Israel and Morocco; and on the other hand, it encourages the consumption of seasonal local product. This time, prospects point to the marketing of around 600,000 kilos, since this year's campaign will be somewhat shorter, given the later start because of the weather.
Until a few years ago, purchasing this variety at large retailers was very difficult, since it is a very fresh product with a shorter life span than other potato varieties. Ibérica de Patatas decided to take the new potato from Malaga for the first time to the shelves in 2008, taking advantage of its know-how and infrastructure, which guarantees the distribution of this variety in optimal conditions.
The initiative of Ibérica de Patatas to bring the new potato from Málaga to large retailers, as well as its excellent reception by consumers, who increasingly appreciate the product because of its taste, quality and freshness, has contributed to promote the cultivation of this variety in the area. In fact, Ibérica de Patatas sells the seed to growers in the province. Since Ibérica introduced this product in the retail trade 9 years ago, production has increased by 30%.
The new potato is easily identified: when touched, the skin is removed with little effort and, when fried, its colour is less yellow, while its texture is crisper.