Kilkenny producer, Iverk Produce, has landed a €100m five year deal to supply Aldi Ireland's 150 stores across the country with potatoes.

Working with 50 local growing partners, Iverk Produce will supply the German supermarket chain with 100% Irish grown and packaged potatoes.

The two companies have partnered since 1999, with Iverk supplying both carrots and potatoes.

As part of the new deal, the Kilkenny outfit will supply 24,000 tonnes of locally-grown potatoes to Aldi annually for the next five years.

John Curtin, Aldi Ireland Group Buying Director said: "Iverk has supplied our Irish stores for more than 20 years and we are delighted to further extend our partnership for another five.  Aldi is committed to supporting Irish growers so our customers can enjoy the very best vegetables."

In Association with

Iverk Produce plans to invest in their infrastructure on the back of this new deal, with plans to invest in a new state-of-the-art packhouse, which will bring all their existing lines into a fully automated packhouse with new racking, fridges and an optical sorter that will allow for future growth and development.

The company, which was started in 1830 by the O'Shea family along the river Suir, employs 150 people full time with a further 35 part-time staff.

Speaking at the announcement of the new deal, James O’Shea, Iverk Produce said: "We are delighted to have agreed a new contract with Aldi. This is a massive boost for both our staff and growers in this difficult climate we find ourselves in. Working with Aldi has given us the security to expand and invest in our business and we look forward to working with Aldi for many years to come."

Image: Photographed announcing the new deal are from left to right: James O’Shea, Iverk Produce and Paul Scally, Buying Director, Aldi Ireland. Picture Conor McCabe Photography.