The price of chips is set to increase after recent high temperatures ravaged crops, potato growers in Britain have warned. According to a BBC report, farmers said the heatwave had added to pressures caused by rising costs linked to the war in Ukraine.
The East Yorkshire-based British Potato Trade Association (BPTA) said the heatwave had compromised the “yield and quality” of potato crops. North Yorkshire grower John Bannister said his crop was down 40%, with the next harvest “looking horrendous”.
Mr Bannister said: “A potato is over 80% water, so it’s not hard to see why there’s a problem given the dry conditions. “The long-range forecast is not looking great either. If there is no rain soon, we will be in a very sorry state.”
A BPTA spokesman said southern and eastern areas of Britain were currently experiencing the worst growing conditions linked to the record-breaking temperatures. He added: “Now is a crucial time for potato growers. If it stays dry much longer, we are looking at seriously reduced yields.”
Source: BBC. Read the full story here
Photo: North Yorkshire farmer John Bannister says his next potato harvest looks “horrendous”. Credit John Bannister via the BBC
