Rising demand for mashed potato has seen the opening of Britain’s biggest and most modern mash factory in Lincolnshire. Last year, Tesco shoppers alone bought more than one million more packs of fresh ready-made mash than in 2022.
Now, Branston, one of the UK’s largest potato suppliers, has opened its new production facility and created 80 jobs to help it meet demand.
Demand for fresh mash starting rising shortly before Covid but lockdown encouraged a revival of Brits cooking from scratch, which led to whole potatoes becoming more popular. However, as lockdown ended and more people returned to work, demand for fresh, ready-made mash started rising again and has continued to increase as shoppers look to save money and time.
Branston has opened the UK’s biggest mashed potato factory in Lincolnshire and created 80 new jobs to meet growing demand / Picture: Branston
Tesco says, while regular mashed potato is by far the most popular variety, demand for sweet potato mash has rocketed by more than 100 per cent in 2023 versus 2022.
Leaning into the mash revivial, Branston has worked with Tesco food chefs to improve existing recipes. One example is root veg mash where increases of parsnip, butter and seasoning will deliver a sweeter and fresher flavour with added creaminess.
Branston CEO, Jim Windle, said: “We are proud and very excited to have brought the latest world class food manufacturing technology alongside restaurant quality recipe design to uplift and elevate one of Britain’s best loved foods. Mash is one of Britain’s favourite comfort foods that needed a 21st century makeover to delight and inspire customers across the new range.”
Tesco prepared produce buying manager, Alex Edwards, said: “Britain’s millions of mash fans should be very excited by the news as our chefs have worked with Branston to excite existing recipes. What we’re planning to do is to take the mash-eating experience to the next level and make it more of a gourmet food that you’d find in an upmarket restaurant.”
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