AHDB working to develop export markets for GB Seed Potatoes

After spending 2018 opening the doors to new markets for British seed potatoes, the AHDB Exports team will focus in 2019 on strengthening relationships with existing markets.

While recent successes have seen access to GB seed approved in both China and Kenya, exporters are also keen to increase tonnage to key countries such as Egypt and Morocco.

Developing markets in Africa

2018 saw two major successes in terms of future markets for GB exporters, the first of which was in Kenya. Three potato varieties were recommended for release thanks to the joint efforts of AHDB, James Hutton Ltd, SASA and Seeds2B Africa (part of the Syngenta Foundation).

The journey began early in 2017 when ten potato varieties were trialled in Kenya at three separate farms over two seasons. Cara yielded very strongly over the course of both seasons with a combined average yield of 52 tonnes per hectare. However, the top performer was Lady Balfour at 56 tonnes per hectare, while Gemson yielded 42 tonnes per hectare on average.

The approval of those three varieties opened the door for GB producers to export to Kenya where potatoes are the second most important food crop after maize. About 2-3 million tonnes of potatoes are grown annually, however most farmers use home-saved seed and achieve yields of as little as 10 tonnes per hectare.

As Kenya is keen to approve more processing varieties the team have resubmitted Hermes for a third season.

Jackie Gibson, Export liaison for SASA:

“The three varieties recommended for release so far have only been approved as table varieties.”

“While processing variety Hermes performed very well in both seasons its average yield of 41 tonnes per hectare was very slightly too low to be recommended for release.”

“However with processing varieties they are looking for at least 21% dry matter content and as Hermes has a recorded dry matter of 23% we believe with a third season of trials and additional testing it can achieve recommendation as a processing variety.”

Now varieties bred in Britain have been recommended for release in Kenya there is now the potential to open neighbouring markets in other African countries. As such, AHDB is now planning an outward mission to Ethiopia to see if they can replicate their success in Kenya.


Visit AHDB at Fruit Logistica

The AHDB will be hosting a British stand at Fruit Logistica in Berlin February 6 - 8. If you're at the show, please visit hall 7.2B, stand number B-03, to make use of networking facilities, and discuss plans with the team.