The first early potatoes grown in Northern Ireland could be ready for harvest by the end of May if weather conditions remain favourable
This is according to Wilson’s Country managing director, Lewis Cunningham.
“Crops were planted out in good conditions around six weeks ago,” he explained.
“They’ll shortly be coming up through the ground and are growing well. The weather has remained dry and relatively mild over the past few months.
“Last few weeks have seen daytime temperatures well above average for this time of year which has been a great help to get seed establishment.
“And the excellent ground conditions that were generated on the back of the benign weather have greatly boosted the potential for early potato crops in 2025,” Cunningham explained.
Home Guard and Accord are the main early potato varieties grown in Northern Ireland.
“But it’s all about the weather that we get over the coming weeks that will determine the growth of these early crops and the planting date for the maincrop potatoes,” Cunningham explained.
“Conditions were extremely mild at the beginning of this month. But temperatures have plummeted again over the past few days. And crop growth rates have varied accordingly.”
The Wilson’s Country representative went on to confirm that consumer demand for new season potatoes remains strong.
“And this trend looks set to continue. The crop emergence of first earlies gives a strong signal that summer is on the way,” he said.
Meanwhile, maincrop potato growers are fast gearing-up for the season ahead.
Stuart Meredith, agronomist at Wilson’s Country, explained:
“Where potato production is concerned, three key requirements need to be met – the availability of good land; the availability of high quality seed; and the required agronomic expertise to ensure that crops meet their full potential.
“And it really is a three-legged stool scenario. All the requirements to grow high quality potato crops must be in place to ensure the success of the venture.”
“Of course, the weather from even before planting, through growing and to harvesting in September and October has a critical part to play. The potato crop doesn’t like any extremes of heat, cold, drought, or rain,” Meredith said.
Significantly, potato consumption levels continue to progress on an upward trajectory across the island of Ireland, particularly with younger aged consumers.
“A lot of investment has been committed over recent years by companies like Wilson’s Country to make potatoes a more convenient choice for busy consumers and family groups. And this work will continue,” Cunningham said.
“There has also been a lot of work carried out to promote the health and nutritional benefits associated with potatoes.
“The environmental attributes of potatoes are also immensely positive. Research has confirmed the reality that the volumes of water required to grow a crop of potatoes are dramatically smaller when compared with the production of rice and other sources of dietary starch.
“The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) predicts that by 2030, global demand for water will double, while the United Nations predicts an overall 40% water shortfall. And, again, it is vitally important that consumers are made fully aware of these realities,” he concluded.
