Co-op Backs British Potatoes All Year Round By Embracing Resilient Varieties

Co-op has announced a major shift in its support for UK potato growers by introducing ‘best-of-season’ packs that are designed to maximise the year-round use of British-grown varieties and reduce reliance on imported potatoes.

Image: Co-op

Describing it as a “UK retail first”, the convenience retailer said in a press release that the move is aimed at improving supply chain resilience while helping domestic potato growers manage mounting production pressures linked to climate variability, disease pressures, and crop reliability. 

By broadening the varietal mix and incorporating newer, more weather-resilient options, such as Jelly, Tyson, and Karelia, Co-op aims to offer reliable quality potatoes all year round and thereby support domestic production over imports.

The new ‘best of season’ packs, now rolling out in stores, are organised by cooking method rather than fixed variety names, with ranges including Roasting, Mashing, Baking, Salad, and Everyday potatoes. 

Each pack will contain a single variety selected for its suitability for that cooking method, with varieties changing seasonally to maintain quality and continuity of British supply.

Welcomed by industry body GB Potatoes, Co-op’s move to support year-round supply comes as UK potato growers continue to face volatile weather patterns, rising production costs, and increasing pressure to improve crop resilience and sustainability across the supply chain.

Co-op’s new strategy reflects the growing challenge of relying on traditional potato varieties that may no longer deliver consistent year-round quality under UK growing conditions, which contributes to many retailers relying on imports from overseas. 

“Towards the end of the season, potato quality can become less reliable, and retailers often rely more heavily on imports for more specific named varieties, while waiting for the new crop to be ready,” explained Sean Liddell, Growing Manager at Co-op’s supplier Greenville.

“By embracing newer varieties, we can allow for greater flexibility and ensure shoppers enjoy consistently good quality, UK-grown potatoes all year round,” Liddell added.

Supporting UK Potato Profitability

The retailer said the newer varieties can offer benefits including improved yields, lower input requirements and greater resistance to pests and disease, while maintaining eating quality for consumers.

GB Potatoes Chair Alex Godfrey said Co-op’s decision recognises the quality of British-grown potatoes, and supports the long-term sustainability and profitability of UK potato production. 

“With potatoes offering versatility and excellent value for money, helping consumers understand that different varieties are suited to different uses is a positive step that will strengthen the category,” Godfrey explained. 

Scott Saunders, Co-op Senior Buying Manager for Potatoes, said Co-op recognises the pressure that UK growers have faced in recent years. 

“By switching to newer, more resilient British varieties and focusing on how potatoes are used, we can offer more consistent quality, reduce waste for our members and customers, as well as offer greater flexibility for growers,” Saunders stated.

Under the new approach, the Roasting range will feature Maris Piper during peak availability before transitioning into varieties such as Tyson and Karelia later in the season. 

Everyday packs will focus on versatile white potato varieties suitable for multiple cooking methods.

The programme follows a year-long series of in-store trials and consumer taste panels conducted in partnership with supplier Greenvale, which tested quality, texture, and cooking performance across a range of varieties.