Tesco deal puts Glens of Antrim’s new potato range into stores across Northern Ireland

L-R, Michael McKillop, MD of Glens of Antrim Group, Stephen Ferris, Chef & Glens of Antrim ambassador & Nigel Doherty, Produce Buying Manager, Tesco NI

A major new Tesco contract has handed Glens of Antrim another significant boost, with the Ballycastle-based food producer launching a new convenience-focused potato range into stores across Northern Ireland after a three-year development programme and a £180,000 investment.

The move expands the company’s presence in the fresh produce aisle and marks another high-profile retail breakthrough for the local business, which has built a growing reputation through both its potato and crisp operations.

The new ‘Perfect for…’ range is designed to simplify potato shopping for consumers by clearly matching varieties to specific meals and cooking styles — tackling what the company says is longstanding confusion in the potato aisle.

Products now rolling out across Tesco Northern Ireland stores include:

• Perfect for Roasties

• Perfect for Chips

• Perfect for Creamy Mash

Each product uses carefully selected potato varieties chosen for texture, dry matter and flavour profile, helping shoppers select the right potato for different dishes without guesswork.

Three-year development programme behind launch

The launch follows an extensive three-year research and development programme carried out by Glens of Antrim, involving field trials across 20 different potato varieties.

The company said the trials focused on identifying varieties best suited to Northern Ireland’s growing conditions while also delivering consistency, flavour and cooking performance for consumers.

Alongside product development, the business has also installed a new automated packaging line at its facility to support increased production capacity and future expansion.

The combined investment totals £180,000.

L-R, Michael McKillop, MD of Glens of Antrim Group & Nigel Doherty, Produce Buying Manager, Tesco NI

Michael McKillop, Managing Director of Glens of Antrim Group, described the Tesco listing as a “transformational moment” for the business.

He said:

“Bringing our ‘Perfect for…’ range into Tesco stores marks a transformational moment for our business.

“It reflects the scale of the work undertaken over the past three years and the trust Tesco has placed in our team, our growers and our product.

“This partnership ensures more shoppers can access locally grown potatoes that take the guesswork out of cooking, while strengthening the category and championing Northern Ireland produce.”

Tesco says range brings ‘clarity’ for shoppers

Tesco Northern Ireland says the range is designed to make shopping simpler for customers while supporting local supply chains and growers.

Nigel Doherty, Produce Buying Manager at Tesco NI, said the product line adds “real clarity” to the fresh produce section.

He said:

“Glens of Antrim’s ‘Perfect for…’ range brings real clarity to the fresh produce aisle, giving shoppers confidence that they’re choosing the right potato for the right dish.

“Its strong local provenance and consistent quality adds genuine value to the category while supporting Northern Ireland growers and supply chains.”

The Tesco agreement also strengthens the visibility of Northern Ireland-grown produce within one of the region’s largest supermarket chains at a time when locally sourced food continues to attract strong consumer demand.

QR codes link shoppers directly to recipe content

The new packaging also includes QR codes linking shoppers to exclusive online cooking content created by local chef and Glens of Antrim ambassador Stephen Ferris, who now leads the kitchen at Margot Belfast.

The digital content includes cooking techniques, meal ideas and preparation tips designed to help customers get more from everyday ingredients.

Stephen Ferris said the range removes uncertainty for home cooks while making meal preparation easier.

He said:

“Helping people get the best out of simple ingredients is what good cooking is all about.

“The ‘Perfect for…’ range gives shoppers instant clarity, and the QR code takes it further with quick tips and ideas that make everyday meals easier and better.”

The new Tesco listing represents another commercial expansion for the Glens of Antrim brand, which continues to grow its retail footprint across Northern Ireland’s supermarket sector while investing further in local food production and supply chains.