Britain's potato growers could lose between £80 million and £169 million this season as drought and extreme summer heat cut yields and tighten supplies across Europe, according to analysis by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit. It estimates more than 3.5 million tonnes of production will be lost across Great Britain, Germany, France, Belgium and the Netherlands, with a combined cost above €800 million.

Belgium is forecast to see the biggest fall, with output down 21 percent, followed by France (13 percent), Germany (10 percent) and the Netherlands (7 percent). British yields are put at about 11 percent below the five-year average, on a par with the drought harvest of 2018. "As we move into autumn, the impact of the record-breaking summer heat and drought on food and farming becomes clear," said Tom Lancaster, ECIU's land, food and farming analyst. "As one of Europe's thirstiest crops, it was inevitable that the potato harvest would be hit hard."

The poor season follows a cut in plantings after last year's oversupply and weak returns, so lower yields on fewer hectares could produce one of the smallest European crops in recent years. Processing prices have surged as buyers compete: Belgian free-market potatoes have risen above €200 a tonne after being almost worthless in April, German processing potatoes have climbed sharply from summer lows, and British processors are reported to be paying more than £300 a tonne against about £180 at the start of the year.

Quality is a concern too. In Belgium the main frying variety, Fontane, is yielding well below last year, with fewer tubers of the size processors want. Recent rain may bring some relief but is unlikely to reverse the damage, analysts say, and the season has reopened debate on water security and irrigation investment. Stronger prices may offset part of the loss, but growers whose crops were cut by drought will find them limited comfort. Reporting by Kelly Henaughen.

Photo: Paul King / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

Source: The Scottish Farmer