The acreage of potatoes in Great Britain shows a small plus for the 2019 harvest year. Government service AHDB Potato calculates this on the basis of new information. Previously, the acreage was estimated to be unchanged or with a slight minus.
AHDB Potato now estimates the area for the 2019 harvest year at 118.950 hectares, based on data from 90% of the British grower base. This figure includes all potatoes in England, Wales and Scotland. Northern Ireland and the British Isles such as Orkney and Shetland are not included in these figures. The figure increases the area by 1% compared to 2018, although it remains one of the lowest areas ever planted.
Retail segment is declining
Many segments have increased in area this year, the data shows. With an increase of 1.600 hectares, the retail segment has increased the most. This is also reflected in the popular varieties. The area for processing was one of the few to decrease slightly: -1% to 36.100 hectares. In 2015 the area was even lower. AHDB endorses this because fewer potato chips have been planted. The surface area for fries potatoes remains the same.
What is striking is a peak in the demand for potatoes for fresh fries (almost all of which are sold through the 10.500 'fish and chip shops'). The area intended for 'fresh chipping' amounts to 13.400 hectares, which is 3% more than in 2018. The Agria variety is doing particularly well here, although this variety is still protected by license in the United Kingdom.
Racial shift
The Maris Piper variety remains by far the largest variety in the country (16.110 hectares). The area has increased by 6,5% this year. Marquis is in 2nd place (6.000 hectares) and has grown by almost 7%. Maris Peer completes the top 3: 3.900 hectares, but shows a minus of 25%. Innovator has grown to 3.460 hectares, an increase of almost 27%. Royal is also growing strongly by almost 9%.
The potato chip variety Lady Rosetta has fallen by 22% due to the popularity of the Taurus variety, also a variety for chip factories. The VR808, known in the Netherlands, also grew considerably in percentage terms (+60%). According to AHDB, the decline in the Maris Peer variety is the result of a shrinking market for new potatoes (salad potatoes). This market share is now often filled by Meijer's Jazzy.
Temperate season
Compared to the European mainland, the British Isles have a moderate growing season this year. Spring started dry, but ended wet in many regions. However, the large potato areas in the east of the country are still dry. The insiders in this region talk about a yield that is only half of the average. However, there are major differences per breed.
The availability of seed potatoes was a major problem for the British this season. Partly because of this, the area has not increased further. For 2020, Agria is offered at £690 per tonne (€780 per tonne). Externally, chips are currently paying €13,50 per 100 kilos. That level is higher than elsewhere in Europe, but considerably lower than a year earlier. Then the price of free chip potatoes (Agria) rose to above €45 per 100 kilos.