Sheridans from Kilberry celebrate National Potato Day

Over half a century of producing 'the humble spud'

Today, Bord Bia’s National Potato Day, is the annual celebration of Ireland’s favourite vegetable, which also provides an opportunity to celebrate Irish potato growers, who harvested just under 300,000 tonnes of potatoes in 2020.

Marking the day are Mark and Noel Sheridan, who are first-cousins and second-generation potato growers based in Kilberry, outside Navan.

John Sheridan from Kilberry began growing potatoes professionally in 1967 with his brother Michael. Their sons, Mark and Noel now farm the land and have expanded the scale of operations.

Mark Sheridan says: “When my father started growing potatoes, back then on a good day they could harvest 10 to12 tonnes, all of which were hand-picked. Now, we are harvesting 400 tonnes per day using mechanisation. The development of the Rooster variety of potato in Ireland transformed potato farming with its beautiful clean pinkish skin finish that people like. The arrival of Rooster and increased mechanisation gave our business a whole new start.”

Growing potatoes and tillage on their family farm is not without its challenges however, with Noel Sheridan commenting “it’s all hands on deck” at this time of year, due to an overlap between sowing winter corn and harvesting the new season Roosters.

Popular potatoes

Recent Kantar Worldpanel statistics show that fresh potato purchasing in Ireland has grown steadily over the last five years, with the volume of retail sales 17 per cent higher than in 2017ii. In addition, Irish potato growers produced an estimated 37 million, or 294,370 tonnes, of potatoes in 2020.

Lorcan Bourke, sector manager of Fresh Produce and Potatoes in Bord Bia said: “There are circa 700 registered potato growers in Ireland, and almost half of those are farming larger field-scale commercial operations, which shows the importance of this sector. Potatoes remain one of Ireland’s favourite carbohydrates which is testament to their versatility and true to the old Irish adage that ‘when there’s a bag of potatoes in the house, there’s a meal in the home’.

Bord Bia is encouraging people to share their favourite potato recipes online, tagging @BordBia and using the hashtag #NationalPotatoDay. For recipe inspiration, visit potato.ie where there are over 200 delicious potato recipes.

For more information visit bordbia.ie/potatoes

Meanwhile, IFA president, Tim Cullinan has called on consumers, retailers and the foodservice sector to support Irish potato growers.

“It’s a critical indigenous sector, worth €111m at the farm gate. 400 growers plant over 8,000 hectares annually. They supply high quality, nutritious produce to Irish consumers throughout the year,” he said.

“Potatoes are synonymous with Irish culture and it’s important that the sector is safeguarded. Irish growers have encountered a number of challenges over the last 18 months in terms of COVID-19, Brexit and increased input costs,” he said.

The planted acreage this year is similar to 2020, which was a historically low level. With yields expected to be just average, the market is balanced regarding supply and demand.

Mr Cullinan added: "The foodservice sector, in particular, must check the origin of the potatoes it uses. Imports undermine the Irish market. By choosing Irish, you are supporting vital jobs in the rural economy".

IFA Potato Chairman Thomas McKeown said the year had been challenging for growers, particularly those supplying the volatile foodservice sector.

"If the current situation has taught us anything, it’s the importance of supporting local producers. Growers have absorbed all of the extra costs associated with additional measures required on farms. Growers must be encouraged to continue producing high-quality crops at a fair price that sustains production."

Bord Bia has enlisted brand ambassadors including leading Performance Nutritionist Daniel Davey on how potatoes fuel their lives. A suite of new recipes is available online to help people expand their cooking skills.

Check www.potato.ie for more information and delicious recipes and to find out about the health and nutritional benefits