The potato harvest in the UK is well underway. In Scotland, the seed crop is more than 50% lifted, and the ware potatoes are in the early stages.
"We are seeing earlier harvests that we did perhaps ten years ago," said Robert Doig from Caledonia Potatoes. "This is due to the industry being a lot more specialised these days, and also the new varieties we have now. Most Scottish growers will be looking at starting the main harvest between 15th and 20th September. Also, potato growing is now done on a much larger scale with fewer growers."
The hot summer has had an effect on the potato crop countrywide, with parts of central England possibly coming off worst. According to Robert, his crop is looking like it will be average; some parts are good, some are not.
Last year, the spot market was seeing some very high pricing until it finally crashed in April. It is very difficult to predict how it will go this season.
"Most of the potatoes are contracted, so it is just a very small percentage that is available for the spot market. It looks like there may have been too many acres planted this year; any oversupply will be because of this and not due to high yields. There is a chance that when the current glut clears, the market may be good going into the spring. But there is no record of how many acres have been planted in the UK, which makes it very difficult to predict anything. Some of the bigger Groups will have a good idea of their own yields and volumes, but they will largely keep that information confidential."
For more information:
Robert Doig
Caledonia Potatoes
Tel: +44 1738 446 723
[email protected]
www.caledoniapotatoes.com