AN INTERNATIONAL bailout of a different kind is on the high seas this morning as a shipment of Irish potatoes makes its way to Russia where there has been a shortage of the produce after an exceptionally poor harvest.
The shipment of 2,500 tonnes of potatoes left Drogheda port yesterday.
According to Clogherhead farmer Gerry Tuite: "This is the first time any spuds have gone to Russia from Ireland. Only for it we would have taken a very poor price on our spuds here."
The Blankenesewas chartered by Meade Potato Company which is based in Meath. In all there will be four shipments to St Petersburg weighing a total of 10 thousand tonnes.
"They have had one of the worst droughts ever in Russia and in parts of eastern Europe and the potato crop failed there," said company founder Philip Meade.
"It has been the opposite here, we have had a very good growing season with yields up about 30 per cent."
Russian farmers this year had an average yield of six tonnes of potatoes a hectare compared to the average in Ireland of 40 tonnes a hectare. Among the varieties being exported are Kerrs Pinks, Roosters and Cultra.