Hoche International’s Vivaldi potato variety is so popular that demand is outstripping supply, said the company this week.
Hoche director Mike Pledger said supplies of UK-grown salad-type Vivaldis had run out four months early in September, forcing the company to ship in imports from Israel.
Supplies of larger Vivaldis, meanwhile, ran out a month early in mid-January.
Domestic production is being doubled this year and quadrupled in 2006 to keep pace with increasing demand, said Pledger. The potato has
been sold in Sainsbury since 2000. Last year, between mid-July and mid-September, 100 tonnes/week were being sold.
Hoche is now rolling out the variety to independents. A marketing programme this year includes sponsorship of Superbikes racing and British Touring Cars.