Warning as major supermarkets could see empty shelves of staple veg this summer

08 March 2024 , 10:39

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Supermarkets could see shortages of potatoes in the coming months (Image: SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Shoppers have been warned that a staple British vegetable could be in short supply due to bad harvests last year.

It was reported last November that potato harvests could hit a "record low" of four million tonnes as bad weather affected British crops - five years ago the UK produced around six million tonnes. In particular, back to back storms forced farmers to plant the harvest later than usual and a very dry summer followed by heavy rain throughout October caused a lot of crops to fail. This, alongside fertiliser and energy costs, has crippled growers and could likely lead to supermarket shelves becoming empty.

Fred Searle, the magazine editor of the Fresh Produce Journal, said potato planting had reduced significantly and the sector was “looking at the lowest UK crop on record this season” with the poor crop leading to "some gaps on shelves and generally tighter supply"

In November he said: "The British potato harvest has been hit hard by heavy rain and flooding in recent weeks, causing delayed lifting and large crop losses. This was preceded by a cold, wet spring and a cool summer with low light levels. With the potatoes that are in store, there's likely to be enough supply to meet demand for the time being, but that might not be the case in the months ahead."

Many of us think the potato is one of the hardiest vegetables however that could be not further from the truth. Potatoes are very vulnerable to bacterial infections, seed viruses and airborne bugs. They can also turn black due to oxygen starvation from flooding.

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Dave Burks, commercial director of the Humble Potato company told the Mail that potatoes can survive an hour or so underwater, but any longer than they start dying from the inside. Tom Pocklington, AKP crop ­production director noted that there were "hundreds of things that can go wrong" and "the one thing you haven't thought of will happen.”

The number of potato farmers in the UK has also significantly dropped over the last 30 years, with around 30,000 farmers producing spuds back in 1995 compared to just 1,2000 today. The UK may also not see top-ups from European potato growers as they have equally faced a tough year for their harvests.

According to the farmers, the UK may start seeing the impact by the summer. Burks added: "We'll come very close and some varieties will definitely run out. Put it this way: if you like your Maris Pipers, I ­suggest you put them in a muddy bag and stick it in a dark garage.'

No major supermarket chains have confirmed any shortages of potato products as of writing.

Ruby Flanagan