Sainsbury’s has announced that sales of Welsh potatoes through its stores in Wales have increased significantly year on year.
Since St David’s Day on 1 March the retailer has seen sales grow by 20 per cent over the same period last season. It unveiled 15 different Welsh potato lines in stores across the country to mark the celebration of the Welsh patron’s day.
Working with its Pembrokeshire supplier Puffin Produce, the new products are vailable in 16 stores in Wales and cover a range of bag sizes and varieties including Welsh Maris Piper, White Potatoes, Basics Salad Potatoes and Charlotte Potatoes – all carrying the Welsh flag on pack. Mini potatoes also launched in 12 Welsh convenience stores.
Volumes of Basics Salad and Desiree Potatoes doubled year on year while 2.5kg packs of baking potatoes and 500g Mini Potato packs were both up by 60 per cent in volume. Maris Piper 2.5kg bags rose in volume by 50 per cent and the same weight of white potatoes have increased 55 per cent in sales volume.
A spokeswoman at Sainsbury’s said: “We are always looking for ways to offer our customers home grown products where possible. The rise in sales has shown us just how important it is to our customers to show their support for regional farmers and suppliers, and we encourage them to keep their eyes peeled for more products hitting shelves with the Welsh flag on pack in the future”.
The launch marks Sainsbury’s first move into regionally sourced fresh produce in Wales, adding to the regional and ethnic food range already available throughout stores. The move also helps the retailer in its commitment to double sales of British food by 2020 as part of its 20x20 sustainability plan.
