The amount of wastage in potato crops being lifted this autumn is above last year, according to the British Potato Council.

Most crops lifted so far had around 15-20% wastage, although up to 50% was reported in bad situations. Complete crop loss was seen in a few fields that were flooded earlier in the year.

Total field losses were recorded in Herefordshire, Lancashire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Nottinghamshire, Yorkshire, Cheshire and parts of the Midlands.

Greening, growth cracks, rots and smalls had all raised wastage levels and the BPC said slug damage was also increasing – 10-20% in some crops. It warned growers to be vigilant, as slug damage was often difficult to see when grading into store.

Yields had also been variable, from 20-25t/ha in hard-hit flood regions to 50t/ha or over 65t/ha in the best crops. Most were typically coming in at 30-45t/ha.

Total crop clearance was very similar to last year at 87,000ha, equivalent to around 67% of the total area.