AS growers start planting potatoes at the start of this season, the ‘make or break’ importance of the season has been stressed by the chairman of the Jersey Potato Marketing Export Board, Michael Cotillard.

Another season like the last two and the industry will collapse very quickly,’ he warned.

‘The success of this season is absolutely crucial – no doubt about it.’Last year was fraught with problems, which started with a late frost in April and continued with distribution problems which meant that many UK supermarkets could not get regular deliveries to individual outlets.

According to a countrywide survey carried out last season, 34 per cent of major retail outlets were out of stock of Jersey Royals between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm.

‘Problems of distribution were by far the greatest issue for Jersey growers last year,’ Mr Cotillard said.The JPMO marketing organisation caused a major stir among its suppliers by saying that it wished to concentrate on the larger, ‘more efficient’ growers for its supplies, and prices were low throughout the first, crucial, part of the season.This year is likely to see further changes in the relationship between growers and marketing organisations.

As the season opens, a new pattern of relationships is forming around the Top Produce organisation, and three growers are said to be in discussions with Top Produce on forming a new company, although individual members would retain, at least for this season, much of their independence.However, one grower, who declined to be named or to name his associates, said: ‘Groups talk all the time, but it is fair to say that a closer relationship between the growers involved is envisaged, because it would mean more continuity in supply, greater unity and, of course, greater savings on things like freight charges.’