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Brexit will affect Ireland in many ways; however, many people will be surprised to learn that it might even alter the taste of our fries.
Despite being famous for growing potatoes, many of our potatoes are actually imported, especially by chippers. In fact, we import around 80,000 tons of potatoes a year.
Many potato chip shops in Ireland import their potatoes from the UK, so a post-Brexit ban on the import of potatoes from the UK could have a major effect on the taste of their chips.
There could even be a shortage of chipper chips once a trade deal is approved.
French fries are imported from the UK for many Irish chippers because the way they are grown and the type of soil makes them crisper and better suited for frying.
Durk Duggan, who works at Leo Burdock’s chipper in Christchurch, said they may have to use homegrown potatoes for their fries, but they won’t taste the same.
“People are surprised when they hear that we import so many potatoes from abroad,” he told RTÉ Radio One Tomorrow Ireland.
“We can get homegrown potatoes, but they will be different, unfortunately they will not be so crispy, the sugar balance will not be the same.
“It will be a different flavor, so we may have to modify the salt and vinegar and what we do with the sauces.
“There could be a shortage, we might have to go for smaller portions and we might have to go for a different approach.”
Mr Duggan said the company does not know exactly what will happen to the UK potato import.
“At this time nothing has been clarified, it has not been signed, sealed or delivered, we are anxious about that,” he said.
Thomas McKeon, chairman of the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) potato committee said that people are always surprised to hear that many of our potatoes are imported from countries as far away as Israel and Egypt.
Farmer sorts and packs rooster potatoes near Kells in Co Meath for local shops.
“When I started here on the farm in the late 1980s, the country grew twice as many potatoes as it does now,” he said.
“People’s perception of potatoes has changed, some see it as a throwback to famine.”
McKeon added that the UK potato import ban could be good for the country and encourage the use of more homegrown potatoes in both businesses and homes.
Online editors
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