Potato supplier Produce Investments buys Jersey Royals grower

The parent company of potato supplier Greenvale has snapped up the biggest grower of Jersey Royals to boost its early-season offering.

Produce Investments, which bought Cornish grower Rowe Farming in 2012, has acquired The Jersey Royal Company (JRC) in the Channel Islands.

JRC grows, grades, washes and packs about 20,000t of Jersey Royals a year, which carry EU protected origin status.

The deal also includes the Kent Potato Company purchased by JRC in 2012.

Produce Investments said the main factors behind the purchase were Jersey Royals’ strong branding, better access to early-season potatoes and JRC’s links with most of the big British supermarkets.

“I am delighted we have been able to purchase such a well-known business,” said Greenvale and Produce Investments chief executive Angus Armstrong.

“It takes the company into a very significant sector of the potato market.

“This acquisition marks an exciting period for the group, providing an opportunity to continue to develop a business that combines real food and farming heritage with the demands of modern supply chains and consumer passion for this high-quality brand.”

Produce Investments reported a 0.1% drop in revenue in the six months to 28 December 2013 to £89.6m.

But pre-tax profit was £5.38m compared to £1.24m in 2012, due to better weather and a much improved UK crop.