Co-op is expanding its support for British potato growers through a new seasonal sourcing strategy that introduces a wider mix of UK-grown potato varieties across its stores.

The retailer said the move will help maintain British potato supply throughout the year while improving crop resilience and reducing dependence on imported potatoes during difficult growing periods.

The new “best of season” potato packs are now available in stores across the United Kingdom. Packs are organised by cooking style, including roasting, mashing, baking, salad, and everyday use.

Varieties included in the programme will rotate throughout the seasons and include Jelly, Tyson, Karelia, and Maris Piper.

Co-op said the strategy reflects growing pressure on UK potato farming, with some traditional varieties becoming harder to grow consistently because of weather volatility, disease pressure, and changing agricultural conditions.

The retailer said newer potato varieties can offer stronger yields, improved pest resistance, and lower input requirements while still maintaining quality standards for shoppers.

Industry group GB Potatoes welcomed the move, saying it supports long-term sustainability for British potato production and helps strengthen domestic food supply resilience.

Co-op added that its roasting potato packs will continue using Maris Piper during peak seasonal quality periods before transitioning into alternative British-grown varieties such as Tyson and Karelia later in the year.

The programme follows in-store trials and shopper taste testing carried out with supplier Greenvale.

The supplier said greater flexibility around potato varieties can help retailers maintain more stable UK supply and reduce reliance on imported products toward the end of the domestic season.

The move also reflects wider changes taking place across the UK fresh produce sector, where supermarkets are increasingly focusing on crop resilience, local sourcing, and supply-chain stability as climate conditions continue affecting agricultural production.

What happens next may depend on how quickly retailers expand flexible sourcing models across the wider UK fresh produce market as growers continue adapting to changing seasonal conditions.

Editor’s Note: Co-op company announcement, May 2026.