IFA National Potato Chair Encourages Consumers and Retailers to Support Irish Potato Growers on National Potato Day
Today marks National Potato Day and the Irish Farmers’ Association National Potato Chair Sean Ryan has called on consumers and retailers to support growers in the Irish potato industry.
In this country the potato growing industry is worth over €105 million and each year around 8,000 hectares of this staple vegetable are produced.
However, in recent years the industry has been struggling due to rising costs and a lack of land and seed availability which has put immense pressure on potato growers trying to provide consumers with potatoes for 12 months of the year. Late planting in 2023 also put strain on the industry which recorded one of its worst harvests that year.
Speaking about the difficulties faced by the industry, Sean Ryan said:
“Many growers are reporting that yields will be significantly reduced this year, especially on late planted crops. A reduction of 25% is reported by some growers. Several factors are at play including issues with seed potato and of course the extremely late planting year,”.
“It will be another few weeks before we see the full picture, but numbers are definitely back on later planted crops,”.
“The planted acreage is slightly up this year so supply and demand should balance out. A continued sustainable price for potatoes will be required so growers can guarantee a year-round supply of quality produce.”
In spite of the challenges faced Irish potato growers have continued to produce potatoes for consumers with retail and home consumption sales high this season the value for money in the potato market seems to be being understood by consumers.
Concluding his statement Sean Ryan encouraged people to use the humble spud and “be proud of the excellent produce we grow,”.