Northern Ireland potato crops being hit by changing weather, potato shortage expected

Baked, boiled, roasted or chipped, the humble spud is a dinner staple. But producers have warned that changing weather conditions are hitting growth, as Louise Cullen reports for BBC News.

A dry February allowed farmers in Northern Ireland to plant their early crops but then the rain came. And now there is not enough of it. And with dry weather set to continue, the main crop is likely to be delayed.

That will have implications for the consumer and food businesses, according to Angus Wilson of potato producers Wilson’s Country. “The market has skyrocketed because there’s not enough potatoes over the next two or three months,” he said. He is in no doubt that climate change is playing a part. 2022 was one of the driest years on record right across Europe.

“There’s already been impact on chip shops but across the whole [sector] where potatoes are used there is going to be increased cost for potatoes and [it] may be significant,” Mr Wilson said.

Source: BBC News. Read the full story here
Photo: Angus Wilson said the price of potatoes could be about to rise. Credit BBC News