Northern Irish potato faced ‘touch and go’ drought conditions in spring but will arrive two weeks ahead of schedule thanks to early excellent planting conditions
New season Comber potatoes are set to be available from mid June with the crop due for harvest almost two weeks early despite concerns about low rainfall.
The first Comber potatoes will be available under Irish potato brand Wilson’s Country from next Wednesday next (11 June), having been harvested in the North Down area just 24 hours earlier.
The Northern Irish early season favourite has struggled with almost drought-like conditions over the past six weeks, with one grower calling it a “touch and go” situation.
“Normally the issue is a combination of too much rain and cooler than normal temperatures,” said William Gilmore, of Gilmore Farm Produce.
“But this year the polar opposite has been the case. The new season crops have been coping with almost drought-like conditions for the past six weeks and more.”
Luckily, low rainfall was countered by excellent planting conditions between the end of January and the middle of March, added Gilmore, who grows varieties including Home Guard, Accord, Queen’s Navan and Sagitta.
“Thankfully the rains have returned. But, as of a few weeks ago, it was fast becoming a touch and go situation. All the crops were crying out for rain,” he said.
“We are delighted to have local new season crops in the shops so early,” said Wilson’s County sales and marketing manager, Joanne Weir. “Last year crops were not harvested until the last week of June. New season Comber potatoes remain a firm favourite with consumers of all ages across Northern Ireland.”
Wilson’s County agronomist, Stuart Meredith, said: “The spring of 2025 has been one of the driest and warmest on record. Growing successful crops of potatoes never comes about by accident.
“Ensuring this has been achieved in 2025 reflects the years of commitment on the part of growers in maximising the quality of their soils.
“Moreover, in the case of William this was achieved without the use of polythene crop covers directly after planting or irrigation when the weather turned exceptionally dry.”
The first Comber Earlies will initially launch in Tesco, Super-Valu and Dunnes Stores’ over the coming days.
