Europe, UK, Ireland, Trends, Weather/Climate

Heatwave to push up price of chips, say British potato farmers

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

Editor & Publisher: Lukie Pieterse


Feel free to get in touch with Lukie!
He’ll be most happy to share your company’s news stories on Potato News Today and its affiliated social media channels.
lukie@potatonewstoday.com
Connect on LinkedIn
Follow on Twitter
About us

Promote your company here

Go here to learn how we can help you to promote your company to our global readership, or get in touch with Lukie directly to discuss promotion options: lukie@potatonewstoday.com.

PULSEMASTER

CROP.ZONE

KIREMKO

GRIMME

WYMA SOLUTIONS