Wet and colder weather this spring has delayed potato planting across the UK which means there will be less capacity for additional acres of potatoes.

Growers are likely to be sticking to their required area for contracts in the UK following a delay in getting machinery into fields for planting. Further concern about costs is an additional factor against farmers speculating with more fields of potatoes.

Archie Gibson, executive director with Agrico, told The Scottish Farmer: “Overall the season is running late but if we get a decent spell of fair weather planting schedules we will soon catch up. It has been a slow start both north and south of the border with lots of potatoes still to be planted from Cornwall.”

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The cooler spring conditions are evident in South-west England where some early planted crops would typically have 15cm shoots by this time, but have yet to emerge. Some early crops have been further affected by high winds and storms which has stripped fleece covers and damaged some plants.

These conditions are all pointing to very few late ‘top-up’ orders for seed potatoes for farmers looking to put in an extra field of potatoes. As a result, there is unlikely to be a dramatic rise in area planted in 2023.

Contracts still not signed

Packers are offering contract to farmers for this season’s crop but many growers are reluctant to sign up as there is a feeling that prices could rise in the coming weeks due to a restricted area. There could also be a particular tight supply of early potatoes due to the slow start to the season.

Mr Gibson explained: “Early crop will not be that early this year. Whilst this is mainly an English issue, pre-packers will have to adjust expectation for crop from early areas like Ayrshire and the Channel Islands as planting is slow and crop development behind recent years. This all points towards limited volumes of early potatoes.”

There could also be concern for growers turning around fields on rented ground to allow the sowing of winter cereals. Some arable farmers want to get winter wheat into the ground in August for fields which have come back in hand following a potato crop. However, this season’s later planting will make the tight turn around a significant challenge.

On the international stage there are some Cypriot potatoes coming into the UK at the moment. The UK has been a traditional market for growers in Cyprus who grow their potatoes on the slopes of mountains which have enough rainfall for cropping.

Meanwhile, Egypt is exporting potatoes to the Canary Islands which is a relatively recent market development.

International markets

Much of the Egyptian potato crop will have been grown using Scottish seed.

The Egyptian seed potato market has been strong in recent years which is encouraging growers to plant a greater area of potatoes to target the market. As a result, there are some murmurs in the sector that the potential to over supply the market could cause a price crash.

This December the deadline for exporting potatoes to Egypt will be brought forward by five days to December 1.

Adam Young, sales and production manager at Agrico, said: “The Egyptian market has been paying well and attracting more and more people to try and supply that window. But we do run the risk of an oversupply. The tighter window will also make it more difficult, if the product doesn’t get to the boat on time, it will be rejected.”

The window for exporting seed potatoes have been tightening each year to give Egyptian growers more time to plant their own crop. This has been in part to combat the hotter and drier weather in Egypt which has caused a shorter growing season in north Africa.

Despite the tight window for export there were no major rejections in 2022 season with prices relatively strong.

The disparity with seed potato trade in the EU rages on with little sign of progress being made. UK potatoes still remain locked out of the EU whilst seed potatoes from Europe are finding their way into England through a legal loophole.

These are mainly processing and crisping varieties which are currently not grown in significant areas in Scotland, but if supply was to be cut from the continent, Mr Gibson is confident that local growers would begin producing the product.

The Windsor Agreement, when ratified for trade with Northern Ireland, will be too late for Scottish seed potatoes for planting this spring. But there is potential for the 2024 season, however seed volumes are relatively modest compared to the major export opportunities.

Value on the shelves

The price on supermarket shelves for potatoes has risen by 12p/kg to 70p/kg over the last 12 months, according to the Office for National Statistics. However, potatoes were priced at 70p/kg or over for nearly 10 years from 2010-2020.

Concern from retailers about a tight supply is one of the reason’s Mr Gibson feels there has been fewer promotions or special offers for potatoes this winter. He said: “The retailers are nervous that the quality or volume is not there.

"They are not helping the industry with promotions but for cash strapped families there are few other foods which offer the same value at tatties.”

Finally, GB Potatoes now has just under 6000 ha of crop under their membership scheme with around 70 farmers pledged to the organisation. The organisation is keen to drive more people to join and anyone wanting to know more can find details on its website.