Potato News from United Kingdom

McCain Foods (GB) Scarborough has informed its employees it plans to outsource its cold and dry storage needs, putting 74 jobs at risk as a result of closing the current on-site storage.

UK retailer Morrisons has acquired the Carnoustie potato packing plant from Farmcare in a deal which will strengthen the supply of Scottish tubers to the supermarket chain.

Kettle Foods extends its successful Bites range with two new flavours, Sea Salt & Mixed Peppercorns Wholegrain Waves and Sea Salt & Balsamic Vinegar Wholegrain Waves.

Fabcon Food Systems (FFS) has been appointed sole distributor of the Definitive Innovation range in the UK and Ireland.

Potato supplier Preva Produce, located in Norfolk, United Kingdom, is up for sale after 20 jobs were lost when cash pressures led to suspension of packing operation

After three years in office, Fiona Fell has announced she will stand down as an AHDB Board Member and Chair of the AHDB Potato Sector Board at the end of her term in office.

Potato Company Branston in the United Kingdom says it will see demand for potatoes double from 150 to 300 tonnes in the week before Christmas.

From TIMEOUT Blog London, PotatoPro learned that London now has its first 'Crisp Restaurant'. This paradise for potato (chips) lovers is located in Soho and is called Hipchips

AHDB Potatoes' first provisional estimate of total production in Great Britain for the 2016 crop year is 5.22 million tonnes, down 5% from 2015. Average yields for GB are estimated at just under 45 tonnes/ha, down 8% on last year.

Farm Frites has announced the arrival of the Ultimate Chip in the United Kingdom. This French fry is launched as the Dutch manufacturer of frozen and chilled potato products celebrates 25 years of operating in the UK.

KETTLE® Chips is introducing a new seasonal flavour to its range of delicious, hand cooked chips in time for the key Christmas sales period. The Winter seasonal KETTLE® Chips Baked Camembert & Oak Smoked Garlic will replace the summer flavour of Chorizo, Feta & Olive.

AHDB Potatoes has pledged to work closely with the seed potato sector and Scottish Government to ensure that the industry maintains a low level of the bacterial disease blackleg.

Jim Cruickshank OBE, one of the most well respected seed producers in the UK, is this year’s winner of the British Potato Industry Award, organised by AHDB Potatoes.

The new Haith Tri-Wash is a high-performance process washer for root vegetables, specifically designed for growers wanting increased efficiency where crops are lifted on soils with high stone contents.

Weighing and packing line equipment specialist Ishida Europe has introduced a unique remote customer care software solution that combines machine performance monitoring with comprehensive data capture and in-depth analysis: Ishida Sentinel™

Metcalfe’s skinny® popcorn has announced the launch of a new packaging design. The updated look will be rolled out into stores throughout the United Kingdom from the end of October.

Currency and supply dynamics are affecting the relative price of British processing potatoes compared to supplies from Belgium and the Netherlands.

In the United Kingdom, Kettle Foods has launched a rebranded and extended range of vegetable Chips, 'Kettle Veg Chips', featuring the flavours 'Lightly Salted', 'Honey & Black Pepper' (new) and 'Sea Salt & Balsamic Vinegar' (new).