2012 potato crop lowest since 1976
Total potato crop production in Great Britain in 2012 looks set to be the lowest since 1976, according to initial figures from the Potato Council.
The provisional estimate of total production for the 2012 crop year is 4.56m tonnes, down 25% on 2011.
The reduction is down to both a lower planted area and lower yields.
The planted area is estimated to have been 5% down on 2011 levels at 121,800ha.
Average yields have fallen by 21% – 37.4t/ha compared with 47.4 t/ha in 2011.
As of 22 November an estimated 11% of the GB crop was yet to be lifted.
The production estimate assumes that this remaining area will be cleared on the grounds that the incentive to lift the potatoes is higher than normal because prices are at historically-high levels.
Potato Council calls emergency summit for growers
