Sainsbury's will be stocking the majority of supplies of a new organic potato from mid-October.

Some 80 per cent of total supplies of the Lady Balfour crops will be in Sainsbury's stores from October 14. The remaining 20 per cent will be stocked by Tesco.

The 2.5kg bags of Lady Balfour potatoes will be included in Sainsbury's traceability scheme so consumers can check how the potatoes have been grown. It is the first organic specific variety and will extend the UK potato season by an extra month.

Lady Balfour will be grown between October and March by Greenvale AP plc, with the majority planted in the Scottish borders as well as some in Herefordshire.

It is the first variety to be grown exclusively for organic potato production, and Sainsbury's says the variety has been recognised by 'committed' organic producers.

The retailer hopes that as growers begin to recognise the higher yielding benefits of Lady Balfour, that the price of £1.99 per 2.5kg bag will be reduced by the 2003 season.

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