Developing a potato variety optimized for year-round crisping is a distinct challenge, especially in Ireland’s cooler climate. In response, the Teagasc and IPM Potato Group collaborated to introduce a novel variety delivering high yields, excellent storage stability, and enhanced processing efficiency. As Fidelity expands into European markets, it sets a new benchmark for agricultural sustainability and supply chain efficiency. Read more below to examine Fidelity’s market performance and preview the next generation of crisping innovations currently under development!
Challenge: Breed a Potato Variety Suitable For Crisping
Potatoes used for crisping are very different to traditional potatoes. They have a long storage period and very low sugar content which ensures the crisps we receive right through the year have a bright golden colour, this also allows the factories to use potatoes year-round. Due to our cooler summers in Ireland it is even more difficult to achieve this long storage and low sugar specification.
Solution: Novel potato variety – Fidelity
The new Potato variety Fidelity from the Teagasc/IPM Potato Group Collaboration contains many traits that are useful for both the grower and crisping factory. Fidelity produces a high yield of uniform even tubers with very low sugars and has a long dormancy that allows it to be stored through to June of the following year after harvest. It is also very stable in store with very little storage losses and particularly suited to Irish conditions by maturing early with very low sugar content. The uniform medium sized potatoes are also perfect for producing crisping size potatoes and the variety gives very high returns in the factory.
Impact: Fidelity being produced for the crisping market
Fidelity crops have been produced by several Irish potato growers in 2024, and these crops will be processed by Irish crisp factories during the 2024/2025 manufacturing season. The variety is also being rolled out by IPM Potato Group in the UK, continental Europe and beyond. Fidelity is currently enjoying a period of growth and high demand from both growers and processors as it contributes to sustainability through high yields, reduced storage losses and greater factory efficiency.
Next Steps:
Teagasc & IPM Potato Group remain committed to producing a range of sustainable and robust potato varieties for each market segment. Fidelity is the first crisping variety for this market and is currently enjoying early success. Several other crisping clones with various desirable characteristics including enhanced disease resistance are currently under development and will soon be named and commercialised.
