British baking potatoes likely to be smaller after dry summer, growers say
One North Yorkshire grower harvested early after a dry spell, while a growers’ association expects smaller baking potatoes in shops.
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Tim Rooke harvested his potatoes early near Helmsley, North Yorkshire, after a prolonged dry spell left the crop beginning to die. The potatoes had not grown to the size his customers wanted. He estimated that about two tonnes out of every 50 tonnes in his store had fallen through the graders because they were too small. [1]
Near Selby, farmer Richard Bramley said he expected his potato crop to be 20% to 25% lower. Scott Walker, chief executive of growers’ association GB Potatoes, said prolonged hot, dry weather had restricted growth. He expects fewer large potatoes on sale this year, with baking potatoes particularly likely to be smaller than usual. [1]
Rooke wants it to be easier to build water-storage lagoons to capture winter rain for summer use; Bramley wants interest-free government loans to help farmers invest. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said the prime minister had announced a £65m package after meeting farmers affected by drought and dry weather, and referred to a new climate-security taskforce. [1]
Walker said shoppers should still be able to find good-quality potatoes and potato products. Harvesting was still under way, he said, so the full effect on the British crop was not yet known. [1]
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