Potato News from United Kingdom

March 12, 2018

MacFry Academy opens its doors to UK Potato Growers

The potato growers supplying McDonald’s in the United Kingdom can get a free agronomy skills training to improve crop performance and quality with the launch of the MacFry Potato Academy.

February 20, 2018

Albert Bartlett receives largest ever Food Processing, Marketing and Co-operation grant for potato processing diversification

The largest ever Food Processing, Marketing and Co-operation (FPMC) grant of £4 million has been awarded to potato processing firm Albert Bartlett. It will allow the company to diversify into the growing convenience and chilled potato market.

February 11, 2018

Potato Stocks in Great Britain up 23% compared to last season

AHDB Potatoes announced earlier this month that GB potato stock levels for the end of November are estimated at 3.6M tonnes, the highest level for this point in the season since 2011/12.

January 30, 2018

North Yorkshire potato farmer wins award for still to be launched Priory Potato vodka

Priory Vodka made from a small acreage of potato crop that is otherwise destined for McCain’s and McDonald’s fries won two prestigious Gold awards at the Global Spirits Masters in autumn 2017. Priory Vodka will go on sale shortly.

AHDB PCN Calculator to be improved with new scenarios and more data on the resistance and tolerance of potato varieties

January 28, 2018

AHDB PCN Calculator to be improved with new scenarios and more data on resistance and tolerance of potato varieties

A research project aims to improve the accuracy of the ‘AHDB Potatoes potato cyst nematode (PCN) pallida calculator’ which is currently used as an educational forecasting tool for potato growers in the United Kingdom.

January 26, 2018

UK Potato Chips acquisition: 'Fairfields Farm Crisps is now a whole Ten Acre larger'

Fairfields Farm Crisps has agreed to acquire Ten Acre Crisps, in an ongoing concentration of smaller premium brands focused on high quality and free-from attributes in the UK snack market

January 22, 2018

Equipment manufacturer Tong Engineering appoints new dealer for Scotland

Leading vegetable handling equipment manufacturer, Tong Engineering is pleased to announce the appointment of ScanStone potato systems as the company’s new approved dealer for Scotland.

January 17, 2018

Dear Britain, you are cutting your roast potatoes all wrong...

In October chef Heston Blumenthal revealed his top tips for achieving roasties that are crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, every time. However, according to students from Edge Hotel School at the University of Essex, Blumenthal has been cutting his spuds all wrong.

January 15, 2018

Potato firm Albert Bartlett reports drop in profits despite increase in sales

Sales at potato firm Albert Bartlett have climbed 18 per cent to £146m, but operating profit was again impacted by price pressures in the supply chain.

January 13, 2018

Burts Chips acquires popcorn manufacturer Savoury and Sweet Ltd

Burt’s Potato Chips have announced the purchase of Leicester’s Savoury & Sweet popcorn manufacturer for an undisclosed sum.

January 02, 2018

Aviko launches Crunch Fast Food Fries in the United Kingdom

Aviko Foodservice has announced the launched of their Crunch Fries in the United Kingdom. These new French Fries are perfect for home deliveries.

Ullucu import and cultivation poses biosecurity risk for potato: DEFRA advice

December 18, 2017

Ulluco import and cultivation poses biosecurity risk for potato: DEFRA advice

Following an investigation by the Animal and Plant Health Agency earlier this year, it has been confirmed that ulluco tubers imported into the UK from a number of different sources were infected by harmful viruses, highlighting that there is uncertainty about the disease status of this crop in general.

December 05, 2017

McCain opens its Roastaurant to help settle the #greatroastdebate

McCain UK is opening a Roastaurant where one can sample 100,000 possible roast dinner combinations.

December 04, 2017

Aldi’s potato sales rocket in Wales

Aldi’s potato sales in Wales have risen by a third since the retailer began sales of Welsh potatoes five months ago, highlighting the popularity of homegrown produce in the country.

December 04, 2017

BP2017 sees AHDB Potatoes Next Generation programme 2018 applications open

AHDB is seeking 15 up-and-coming professionals with a passion for driving the potato industry forwards to join the 2018 Next Generation programme, launching in April next year.

November 21, 2017

Mintel Announces Five Global Food And Drink Trends for 2018

Mintel, a leading market intelligence agency, identified five key trends set to impact the global food and drink market in 2018.

AHDB officially launches Potato Data Centre at BP2017

November 17, 2017

AHDB Potatoes officially launches Potato Data Centre at BP2017

AHDB Potatoes will officially launch its Potato Data Centre (PDC) at BP2017 at Harrogate on 22 and 23 November.

November 12, 2017

Tesco brings back Italian New Potatoes for the seventh year

Solely supplied by Branston, Italian new potatoes are returning to Tesco for the seventh consecutive year, to keep pace with the increasing demand for fresh seasonal new potatoes.