The top 5 most popular potato varieties in the UK are pretty much set in stone. Especially for places 6 to 10 is fought by a number of races. As a result, a number of major shifts are taking place, whereby French fries varieties have to surrender.
The top 5 of the most popular potato varieties in the United Kingdom remain the same this year. Maris Piper is the undisputed leader, with an area of almost 17.000 hectares. That is the same as last year and accounts for 15% of the total British potato area.
Marquis is in second place with 5.800 hectares, but has to give up 2%. Numbers 5 and 3: Maris Peer and Melody both plusses. The latter even increased by 4%, to 18 hectares. The number 4.500: Lady Rosetta, has to hand in 5%. AHDB Potato compiled these figures.
Big riser
The 'real' shifts take place in the lower regions of the top 10. The biggest climber is the table potato variety Nectar from IPM. The area increased by 42% to 3.200 hectares. This is at the expense of Royal, which has been removed from the top 10. The Taurus breed rises 6 places and just enters the top 10. It is visible across the board that old varieties are being replaced by newcomers. The white-fleshed table potato varieties remain popular.
Chip varieties are shrinking
In terms of largest percentage changes, the Cultra variety ranks third, after Nectar and Melody. The Agria area increases by 3%. Good for 22 hectares, which brings the total to 400 hectares. Challenger has to give up 2.300% and drops 13 places in the list. This variety has an area of 10 hectares, equal to Fontane.
Innovator covers 2.500 hectares and is also shrinking slightly. The 50 largest varieties account for 102.300 hectares. All others comprise 18.500 hectares. The total is 120.900 hectares. Last year this was 116.200 hectares.
More table potatoes
If we look at the area, it is visible that the area of chip potatoes has decreased slightly this year. About 28% of the total includes chip varieties. That was more than 30% last year. Approximately 37% of all potatoes are intended for the table market. The fresh fries segment is increasing minimally. Seed potatoes remain stable.
The AHDB blames the changes on the market and prices paid during 2016-2017. The table potato market had a favorable price level. When prices fell, the area was already fixed. The reverse applies to French fries. The area was planned taking into account the prices at that time. Only then did they increase. In addition, buyers have offered more contracts for table potatoes.