Poland: Potato harvest expected to drop by at least 20%

Record high temperatures and lack of rainfall in recent weeks have caused water shortages in most Polish provinces, with the most difficult situations registered in central, northern and eastern parts of the country. These factors, together with the lack of rainfall in spring, will cause the quality and harvest yields of some vegetables to be lower than last year, according to experts of Bank BGZ BNP Paribas. Onions, cauliflower, carrots and potatoes will be some or the vegetables affected, and raspberries will likely also be hit. To a lesser extent, the losses will affect fruit trees (namely apples), but this will not be known until after the harvest. That potatoes will become more expensive is almost certain. The report prepared by the Institute of Agricultural Economics and Food Economy leaves no doubt, the harvest will be very small. The most optimistic expect a potato production of about 6.7 million tonnes, about 1 million tonnes less than last year. With such a drop in supply, of about 20 percent, prices are bound to increase considerably. Source: fakt.pl