The first Cornish new potatoes have been lifted this week on time, despite growers being faced with difficult growing conditions.
Mark Rowe, of Pentire Farm, Helston, Cornwall kicked off Tesco's English new potato season this week, which is a real achievement considering the problems caused by the weather. Rowe said: "Despite awkward growing conditions we have managed to lift the crop on time. It has been a pretty tough year, but we are on top of things. The weather was ideal when we planted the crop in January and February but a cold bout in March raised a few concerns. We did worry that the harvest could be a little late this year but we have managed to get the first liftings into Tesco stores on time."
The first variety lifted is Premier and this is followed by Lady Christl and Maris Peer. These varieties have been selected because of their good eating quality and their ability to ensure continuity of supply.
The early season potatoes have been delivered directly from the farm to local stores in Cornwall, and in the coming weeks another 120 stores in south-west England will be stocking Rowe's potatoes. Through May an additional 300 stores will have the Cornish potatoes as distribution spreads through the Midlands to the north of England.
Branston, Tesco's principal fresh potato supplier, bases a key member of staff at Rowe Farms to co-ordinate the Cornish campaign and the total Cornish new potato business is valued at around £5.5 million a year. It is looking to build on last year's success when following a re-branding exercise, sales rose 66 per cent on 2002.
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