Irish spend €162m on potatoes

IRISH consumers spent €162 million on potatoes last year, an increase of 8%, and they are also buying them more often, Bord Bia revealed yesterday.

Shoppers are also spending more money per household on potatoes — €122.60 per annum in 2005 compared with €116.30 in 2004.

The prepacked potato market has seen the largest increase in terms of value.

It accounts for 97% of the overall market volume, with more households buying into the convenience of smaller pack sizes on a more frequent basis.

New research by Bord Bia has also showed consumers view new season potatoes as a “treat” with a “superior” taste as they are perceived as “fresh from the farm”.

Bord Bia released the update as Agriculture and Food Minister Mary Coughlan launched its new season Queen potatoes promotion in Dublin.

She said Bord Bia is working with the industry to highlight the benefits of these new potatoes for health and well-being.

“Potatoes are a healthy nutritious food choice as they are naturally low in calories, have virtually no fat, and contain more potassium than both broccoli and bananas when eaten with their skins,” she said.

Bord Bia, said new season potatoes account for 13% of total potato production in Ireland.