Queens, the most important new season potato variety, are now in season and available
15th July 2011 - Research from Bord Bia, the Irish Food Board, has uncovered that New Season Queen potatoes remain Ireland’s favourite representing 10% of the total retail potato sales in Ireland on an annual basis with 18,000 tonnes of Queens bought by Irish households in 2010, compared to 11,000 tonnes in the previous year . In 2010, retail sales of new season Queen potatoes were valued at €12.3m. |
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With excellent taste, eating quality and good yields in 2010 shoppers stacked their shopping baskets with new season potatoes. Recent Kantar research has shown that household purchasing during the last Queens season increased with 61% extra volume bought. This was driven by households buying bigger pack sizes with 7.5kg and 10kg bags accounting for 50% of the market (by volume). The research also confirmed the popularity of the Queen potato with over 50% of households regular purchaser’s from this category.
Mike Neary, Horticulture Manager, Bord Bia, “We hope to build on last season’s great performance, in terms of Queens sales, in 2011. I'm sure we can. At this time of the year Irish people relish the arrival of new season Queen potatoes, they are a healthy tasty treat, easy to cook and are a great addition to any summer menu. Fresh potatoes are a great natural food product that can provide people, and particularly kids, with the energy and sustenance they need to get them through highly active daily schedules and lifestyles. |
Irish rugby star Tommy Bowe, who composes a monthly blog on Bord Bia’s www.bestinseason.ie website believes potatoes are a great source of energy. “Some might say it’s easy for me to maintain a healthy diet as we get a lot of expert nutritional advice, but it’s up to me to keep a diet that gives me lots of energy,” said Tommy Bowe. “Potatoes are always on the menu for me as they are a great energy source and they are tasty, quick and easy to cook – always a bonus in my view!”
Paula Mee, Nutritionist said “Potatoes are one of the most inexpensive and most nutritious foods available. Like Tommy said, potatoes are a fantastic natural fuel for the active body - in a world where many carbohydrates are devoid of essential nutrients, the potato stands head and shoulders above many others. “
“Potatoes have little or no fat and are a great source of energy, dietary fibre, vitamins including folic acid and potassium, magnesium, iron and zinc. Potatoes contain Vitamin C a powerful antioxidant important in maintaining a healthy immune system, to the diet. Potatoes also contain twice the amount of dietary fibre as the same portion of brown rice.”
New season potatoes are one of the most versatile fresh summer food items on the market and are ideal for quick or adventurous cooking. They can be served in a vast assortment of ways - the options are endless.
Each month www.bestinseason.ie profiles a range of seasonal produce and show-cases the availability of fruit and vegetables when they are ‘Best In Season’ in Ireland. Ireland rugby star Tommy Bowe also shares one of his favourite potato dishes on his monthly blog available on the website. |
About “Best in Season”
The website www.bestinseason.ie is part of Bord Bia’s promotional campaign to help consumers to identify what fruit and vegetables are available in Ireland and what is currently ‘Best In Season’. The website explains the benefits of eating fresh produce grown within the natural Irish season and contains a range of exciting recipes incorporating each season’s fresh fruit and vegetables. All fruit and vegetables taste their best and are at their nutritious best when harvested fresh from the field close to where they were grown.
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