It has been bred by Plant &Food Research and it has a smooth deep purple skin with purple and white flesh.
Four growers and a seed producer have joined forces to exclusively grow and market the variety.
Eurogrow Potatoes Ltd says the Purple Heart potato will be marketed as a niche product, mainly for the restaurant trade.
General manager Tony Hendrikse says there has only been a limited amount of seed this year, so most of the potatoes grown have been for promotional purposes.
Branding and packaging have also been developed and the potatoes will be sold in 1.5kg bags in supermarkets.
Mr Hendrikse says this year the growers involved produced just over 50 tonnes of Purple Heart and they hope to at least double that next year.
He says the new potato has three times the level of antioxidants as a standard potato and contains nearly half of the recommended daily intake of iron.
Gourmet Potato Purple Heart now on New Zealand market
Like to receive news like this by email? Join and Subscribe!
Get the latest potato industry news straight to your WhatsApp. Join the PotatoPro WhatsApp Community!
Related News
juni 04, 2026
Potato diversity from the Andes supports climate resilience efforts in East Africa
Modern potatoes are bred from a relatively narrow genetic pool, while the diseases and environmental pressures affecting potato production continue to evolve.
juni 03, 2026
International Day of the Potato highlighted the role of potatoes in food security and sustainability
On May 30, the International Day of the Potato was celebrated worldwide, highlighting the potato’s role in food security, sustainability, economic development and culinary diversity beyond its importance as a staple food.
juni 02, 2026
Inter Agra highlights how wooden crate details reduce crop damage during storage
Maintaining crop quality after harvest remains a major challenge for potato, onion and carrot producers, particularly during long-term storage where mechanical damage can reduce product quality and market value.
