Understand
Hotter summers and dry weather lead to smaller British potato harvests
Overview
British potato farmers are reporting reduced yields and smaller potato sizes following a prolonged dry spell and exceptionally warm summer weather. Growers warn that climate pressures are making the crop increasingly expensive and difficult to produce, with baking potatoes expected to be noticeably smaller in supermarkets. Farmers are calling for government support, interest-free loans, and more relaxed planning laws to build water storage lagoons for summer irrigation.
Key points
- Hot and dry weather conditions have stunted potato growth, causing lower crop yields across parts of North Yorkshire.
- Potatoes stop bulking up in temperatures above 28°C, and some farms experienced around 40 days above this threshold while receiving only 35ml of water instead of the required 200ml.
- GB Potatoes reports that shoppers should expect fewer large potato varieties, particularly baking potatoes, on supermarket shelves this year.
- Farmers are warning that consecutive bad harvests and rising costs are reducing industry resilience, with some considering leaving the sector.
- Growers are seeking relaxed planning regulations to construct water storage lagoons to capture winter rain for summer use, alongside calls for financial assistance.