There’s a long-held perception that the UK bagged potato market is in permanent decline and consequently it is regarded by many as a sector of less importance than others in the industry. However, the reality is that the supply of bagged potatoes represents 20 per cent of an overall 5.4 to 6 million tonnes UK potato market and, according to industry advisers it is a market share that is currently remaining stable.

There’s little doubt however that the supply of bagged potatoes to wholesalers is being squeezed as supermarkets continue to lure shoppers away from the High Street. However, a slight downturn in these volumes is being counter-balanced by bagged sales to the fresh chipping market, where sales to fish and chip shops, in particular, are increasing year on year.

According to Devon grower Colin Davey, it’s all about what he can deliver to his chip shop customers as a local producer that ensures he has a regular bagged market to supply.

“They buy my potatoes because of the consistent quality I can deliver,” says Mr Davey, who grows 30-40 acres of potatoes each season on his 150 acre Aysfordlands farm, Sandford Peverell near Tiverton. “Our potatoes require little preparation when they get to the shops because they are clean skinned, with no bruising or damage.”

Having semi-retired from running a busy contract farming operation six years ago, Mr Davey decided to concentrate solely on his own farming activities. Now supplying 25 chip shops in a 20-mile radius all year round, he’s as busy as ever.

“I thought the recession would make a difference to our trade but it hasn’t at all. I suppose I can supply them cheaper than those sending crops in by long distance hauliers and, added to that, customers never know what they are going to get off the lorries. I’ve tried supplying the multiples in the past, but didn’t feel that I was being treated fairly.”

Mr Davey grows Maris Bard and Premiere as early varieties, followed by Maris Piper, Caesar and Markies. All his seed potatoes are sourced through Nickerson Direct, the UK-based specialist sales force which supplies seed directly to the farmer and is part of Group Limagrain, Europe’s leading plant breeding company. All are grown on fresh and clean rented land to reduce the risk from pests and disease.

“We’ve used seed from Nickerson Direct for five years, ever since a previous supplier let me down with quality. The most important factor about their seed is that you know what you are going to get in terms of quality. If I’m paying £300-£400 per tonne of seed, I can’t afford for it to come in with black leg for example and have a whole batch ruined. All their seed is good quality, so I see no reason to change.”

Early varieties are harvested from mid-July, graded straight into bags and then sent out to customers. The main crop is lifted and graded into 1-tonne boxes before being stored over winter. This gives Mr Davey the flexibility of being able to supply his customers all year round.