Eastern promise: Albert Bartlett plans Russian growth

POTATO producer Albert Bartlett plans to expand its business in eastern Europe and Russia after winning its first contracts in the region during last season’s severe drought.

Accounts filed at Companies House show the Airdrie-based firm supplied Scottish tatties to the former Communist Bloc after domestic supplies failed during 2010 and 2011.

Marketing and sponsorship paid dividends for family-owned Bartlett, which was set up in 1946 and supplies one in five of the UK’s fresh potatoes, as sales grew 8 per cent to £131.9 million in the year to 31 March.

Desperate Housewives actress Marcia Cross advertised the “rooster” potato variety, while “ambassador chefs” Andrew Fairlie and Michel Roux Jr promoted the firm’s spuds. But “intense” competition in the UK potato market ate into operating profits, which fell to £10.1m from £13.4m.