"Spring was late so we were later planting, but once we did get the potatoes into the ground we got some nice weather which moved things along nicely," explained David Morrow from Glen of Antrim Potatoes, Northern Ireland. "Then we had a cold, wet June which is going to challenge yield due to lower than expected tuber numbers, volumes are likely to be down double digit percentage by weight on last year but this will depend on August and Septembers weather. Its looking like a potentially poor harvest."
Demand for last season's potatoes has been very good until now, but there has been less interest in the new crop. David puts this down to the cold and wet weather when people are happy to be eating last season's Maris Pipers and not new salad potatoes.
"The weather just now is not ideal for harvesting either, we are having to work around the showers and harvest when the ground is dry enough to get in the fields," said David.
Glens of Antrim sells most of its potatoes under their own brand, but also pack for retailers such as ASDA and Sainsburys'. The most popular varieties are Maris Piper and Navan.
Glen of Antrim have brought back the Lumper, a variety widely grown throughout Ireland until the Great Famine in the 1840’s. The original Lumper was quite large in size, knobby, and quite lumpy, with pale brown skin and yellow flesh and the flavour of the original was some what of an acquired taste. Glens of Antrim are creating a smaller more appealing and appetising Lumper to suit the modern palette.
"It is a niche product, something to differentiate us from other producers," said David.