The UK has seen exceptionally wet weather in last couple of months, torrential downpours combined at times with high winds. Some areas of the country saw major flooding and infrastructure damage. The storms came as growers were trying to get this year’s potato harvest in.
“We are finished with our potato harvest, but this is not the case for everyone,” said Robert Doig from Caledonia Potatoes. “We don’t know the exact figures but probably 5-7% of potatoes are still in the ground. Overall, in Western Europe it is more like 15-20% and some of those still in the ground are rotted and permanently lost.”
Robert said that the quality of the potatoes both ware and seed is mixed, some are good while some are in distress. The wet and waterlogged harvest conditions will have an effect on the storage quality of the potatoes, with incidences of skin diseases such as scurf increasing.
A difficult harvest means higher costs: more time invested and more waste etc. This comes at a time when growers are already struggling to make a profit.
“We will almost certainly see more growers dropping out or planting less next year, still many buyers think conversation for future years is about price. In my opinion they should be much more concerned with security of supply.”
For more information:
Robert Doig
Caledonia Potatoes
Tel: +441738 446 723
[email protected]