Food minister visits chip factory
The factory was bought earlier this year by a large consortium of farmers from both north and south at a time when the processing plant was in danger of being lost.
It currently processes approximately 360 tonnes of raw potatoes each week which equates to 180 tonnes of processed chips. It aims to almost double this output but the conclusion of contracts with supermarkets will be crucial to achieving this.
Mr Smith said he was very impressed by what he had seen on his visit to the factory and he commended the initiative shown by the farmers.
With a farm gate value here of around €100 million, the potato industry makes a valuable contribution to the Irish economy, but no industry can survive without an outlet for its production.
“This venture is a shining example of what can be achieved through the co-operative efforts of farmers from both parts of this island,” the minister said yesterday.
