It’s National Potato Day- Support Your Local Growers

IFA National Potato Chair Sean Ryan is calling on consumers, packers, and retailers to Irish support growers this National Potato Day.

He said the Irish potato industry is a critical indigenous sector worth over €105M at the farm gate with over 8,000 hectares planted annually. The potato is synonymous with Irish culture and Irish growers provide consumers with quality, nutritious potatoes for 12 months of the year.

“Irish growers are resilient but unfortunately, the number of growers has been in decline for a number of years. Land availability and soaring input costs remain key challenges. The past year has been challenging for growers from spiralling input costs and it is shaping up to be one of the most difficult harvest seasons in recent memory,” he said.

Despite the challenges, growers continue to put quality nutritious produce on consumers plates all over the country. Home consumption and retail sales are buoyant this season as consumer realise potatoes are excellent value for money as a staple.

“On National Potato Day this year we need to promote the potato and be proud of the excellent produce we grow,” Sean Ryan said.

This year’s National Potato focuses on the potato as an important source of nutrients. The campaign aims to appeal to the young generation by showing them how versatile the potato is and how they are also value for money which is important for all in the current climate. The ambassadors for this year are Gina and Karol Daly who both have a large social media following.

More detail on National potato day is available on Bord Bia’s website: National Potato Day – Bord Bia.