A leading potato processing company has insisted that demand remains high and growers should not exit the business amidst the current financial uncertainty.

The lack of business funding has caused such levels of uncertainty that many Norfolk potato farmers are reported to be seriously considering leaving the industry, prompting a reaction from The Higgins Group.

David Higgins, managing director of The Higgins Group, one of the leading companies in the UK and European potato processing industry, said: “We have contracts available for the 2008-09 season for farmers to grow crisping and chipping varieties.

“These are contracts which offer real profit potential and the comprehensive level of support that we provide to our network of growers enables them to realise those profits.

“The Higgins Group farms over 2,000 acres of its own potatoes, and last season we were forced to increase our acreage as processing demand was set to outstrip the supply of quality assured crops.

“As a family business with nearly 50 years’ experience in potatoes, we have the structure and resource to supply those companies manufacturing the leading brands which satisfy the constant consumer demand for crisps, chips and ready meals,” he said.

The Higgins Group has an annual turnover of around £40 million, handles 350,000 tonnes of potatoes and is based in Finningley, Doncaster.

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