Leading fresh potato supplier Greenvale AP announced a record crop of Ayrshire potatoes as the first harvest hit Tesco stores last week.
Greenvale said it will supply Tesco with nearly 600 tonnes of Ayrshire during its eight-week season - an increase of 50 per cent on last year.
To satisfy rising demand, Greenvale has supplemented its new-season Ayrshire crop with a new variety - Vales Emerald.
Greenvale said Vales Emerald has been bred to produce early yields without compromising on the “real new potato taste”.
Ayrshire-based Girvan Early Growers is growing the variety to fill the gap between Epicure and Maris Peer.
“With positive results in samplings around the country Vales Emerald looks set to become a staple part of our new season and baby potato portfolio,” said Doug Bell, general manager at Greenvale AP's Duns-based business.
Bell claimed Ayrshire new potatoes had become sought after during their short summer season.
“Ayrshire is one of the most agriculturally fertile regions of Scotland, untamed countryside and un-spoilt coastline sit where the potatoes benefit from the warm air generated by the Gulf Stream,” he said.
“And it is this unique combination of weather and soil that makes this variety of potatoes so distinct and widely anticipated.”
