A dry and mild winter has produced good quality potatoes in Mallorca this year, and a good proportion of them are set to be exported to the UK as British farmers struggle with their own poor harvest caused by the bad weather.
Sa Pobla in the north of Mallorca is famous in the Balearics for growing potatoes, and has started harvesting this years crop. Over half of the potatoes will be exported to the UK and also to Scandinavia, the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium.
Thanks to the favourable weather this year the potato variety of choice, the waxy Lady Christl, has flourished and has produced a very good quality crop. The harvest should last through to June and farmers are hoping that the weather will remain kind (no frost and protection from high winds) to allow a continued good quality product.
Last year, 12.5 million kilos of potatoes were exported from Spain and around 7 millions kilos of these potatoes were from Mallorca.
Sa Pobla are very proud of their agricultural roots and they host a large agricultural fair in November which celebrates their local produce. Not only that but sacks of potatoes are awarded as prizes for various races and competitions held throughout the year.
