As deliveries to the UK continue to fall, Jersey potato exporter Albert Bartlett is calling for more financial support from the island's government. The company exports Jersey Royals for seven independent growers. During the peak season, Albert Bartlett normally sends 1.5 million packets of Jersey Royals a week to major UK retailers. However, that is some 25% less than five years ago, as demand for the product has declined.
To avoid wasted crops, the government recently put limits on how much land can be cultivated for potatoes and to preserve their premium price point, it has also put limits on the amount of exports.
Albert Bartlett Operations Director Tim Ward explained: "With a very premium product in an inflationary market, it's made it more difficult, so certainly demand has reduced. If we don't get the right volume at the right price it makes it very difficult to make money."
Ward believes the government should provide more funding to secure the future of the industry: "I think there's a real concern about the next generation of farmer and where they're going to come from. And they're only going to be encouraged into the business if it's profitable, if it's viable, if it's sustainable. That needs reinvestment and takes money which means support from government."
Still, Jersey's Economic Development Minister is urging farmers to look further than the UK for the Jersey Royal market. Deputy Kirsten Morel says any extra funding will be focused on researching new markets in Europe and beyond. He stated: "We send oysters to Dubai, ice cream to the far east. Why aren't we sending Jersey Royals elsewhere? Jersey has an amazing story to tell about its farming with its high-quality, premium products and I think they would sell in any market. It does take time, but that's the journey we've started and that's the journey we're on."
Source: itv.com