Supplier Solus Garden and Leisure say seed potato sales could improve by up to 15 per cent next year with the heritage potato range from Jamieson Brothers (JBA) set to open up new markets.

Solus brand manager Tony Libra told Horticulture Week website that sales increased by 50 per cent in 2009 with the economy, grow your own and healthy eating concerns behind the shift.

Libra said: "This year has been very, very good for growing potatoes. A few years ago it was a dying trade and people just bought from the supermarket, but this year has seen a vast increase in people wanting to grow their own.

"For the first time, people have been planting in summer and growing for Christmas using potatoes kept in cold store. You can now grow potatoes 12 months a year."