NFU calls for action to save the great British potato

The NFU is warning of the impact that weather, input costs and trade are having on the nation’s favourite ingredient – the great British potato – and is calling for urgent action to prevent a shortage of this staple food.

Potato farmers are calling for political action to save Britain’s great tuber as the future of the domestic crop comes under increasing pressure.

Potato growth threatened
Over the past three years, potato farmers have faced drought, flooding and months of heavy rain this season, culminating in a perfect storm for the great British potato. Hardworking growers have reported significant delays in harvesting the 2023 crop and a further delay in sowing the 2024 crop.

At the same time, the costs of key inputs such as fertilizers and energy for storing potatoes remain prohibitively high. Total production costs in this sector have increased by 28 percent in the last two years.

British potatoes are generally available all year round – they are a staple of family meals and an essential ingredient in the nation’s favourite dish: fish and chips.

But several years of extreme weather and skyrocketing costs have taken their toll on family businesses and led to a shortage of this staple food.

Alastair Heath, vice-chair of the NFU Potato Policy Group, said: “The potato is versatile, nutritious and affordable, making it not just a national favourite but a staple food for most people. Yet the future of the British potato is under threat.”

Loss of confidence among farmers
Alastair added: “A number of growers have taken the difficult decision to reduce production to minimise losses and the relentlessly wet weather has caused weeks of delays for many more. For some, profits have been almost completely wiped out.”

“Business confidence is low and investment has become a distant concept, putting pressure on the UK potato supply in the short term. While it is unlikely to result in empty shelves this year, this pressure on the domestic crop is an indication that we need to act urgently to prevent the situation from getting worse. I believe we can and should be self-sufficient in potato supplies.”

Future supply at risk
To reduce the impact on shoppers, supply chains are working with growers to be more flexible on specifications so that as much of the British crop as possible can be used, and more imported produce is being used so consumers are not faced with empty shelves.

However, the NFU warns that the UK cannot rely on imports as a Plan B for such an important British crop, as this brings its own risks.

For example, potato supplies are also tight across the EU in 2023 due to a widespread shortage of seed potatoes and similarly poor harvesting and planting conditions.
Before Brexit, seed potatoes were imported from Scotland, but it is now becoming increasingly difficult to secure future supplies of table potatoes. A resumption of mutual trade in seed potatoes between the EU and the UK would help to address the current shortage of seed potatoes.

Source: nfuonline.com