Potato growers suffered a disastrous financial year in 2014 after a massive surplus of the crop caused prices to plummet. To minimise the risk of being hit again by the same problems many farmers slashed the acreage they planted this year.
But that move has exaggerated the impact of wet conditions, which caused a drop in yield of around 15 per cent. Experts fear this could spark a shortage on supermarket shelves.
Potato researcher Andy Evans, of Scotland’s Rural College, said difficulties in judging the market and uncertainty over growing conditions often lead to a “boom and bust” situation.
“The more successful the season is, the lower the price farmers get for their crops – it’s a case of supply and demand,” he said. “Last year there was a glut so the prices paid were very low.
“The flip side is that growers cut back on planting this year. But yields are going to be average because of the poor weather, particularly the very wet July, and the growing season is two or three weeks behind.” A shortage might be good for growers by keeping prices high, but it would be bad for consumers. Rainfall levels over the next few weeks will prove critical for crops that have not yet reached maturity.
Some of the varieties expected to be worst hit include the popular Maris Piper, a good all-rounder and chip-shop favourite, and red Roosters.
