Farmers say Jersey Royal is safe despite UK buy-out

Monday 19 May 2014

One of the island's leading farmers believes the Jersey Royal potato's iconic status is safe even though the biggest producer is now under UK ownership.

Dairy farmer Andrew Le Gallais says the potato’s premium brand will always be synonymous with the Island because it enjoys EU Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status, similar to other products such as Champagne.

“The fact is that the brand belongs to the Island and is administered by Economic Development - and it also has PDO status. To be called Jersey Royals they have to be grown in the Island wherever the company may be controlled,” he said.

Berwickshire-based Produce Investments plc, owners of the brand Greenvale, has acquired the Jersey Royal Company for a reported £15 million. 

Mr Le Gallais says the deal can either been seen as bad news - because the Island’s biggest crop is now be in the hands of a UK company - or an inevitable outcome to secure the future of the Jersey Royal.

"The Jersey Royal is sold through the multiple retailers in the UK. The value of the crop I would estimate is £25 to £35 million, depending on yield and price, but that is a drop in the ocean compared to the fresh veg market in the UK,” he said.

“The crop needs to have a larger presence in the UK and it’s becoming more difficult to supply potatoes - albeit a very unique potato - without supplying other vegetables as well. Hopefully this will get the Jersey Royal a long-term future.”

As dairy farmers and potato growers work more closely than ever before, Mr Le Gallais – who is the Chairman of Jersey Dairy – is keen to establish a close rapport with the new company. 

“The integration of potato growers and dairy farmers in the Island has never been greater. I think that’s for the benefit of our business, but most important for the benefit of the soil, which is very good in this Island. I hope that integration and crop rotation will continue. There’s some incredible knowledge and skills in this Island that can’t be brought in. We’ve developed that over generations and I hope that will stay,” he said