The turbulent times in the world food market could lead to a contraction in the potato area in the United Kingdom (UK) in the short term. Cultivation costs have increased enormously, the demand for potatoes is very variable and the price will remain that way. The cultivation of grains and oilseeds has therefore become a lot more interesting for farmers.
At least that is what Mark Taylor, chairman of the Fresh Potato Suppliers Association, says in The Grocer. According to Taylor, the improved opportunities in grain cultivation could result in a shrinkage of the acreage and therefore a smaller potato harvest. Last season there was a continuous wide supply of potatoes. That could turn out differently for the coming season. According to Taylor, a smaller potato harvest in the UK does not mean that shortages will arise and that prices will rise. “In the UK we are on the edge of overproduction and producing more than enough for domestic demand.”
Potatoes cheaper in the store
Potato products have not experienced the same price increase in the supermarket as wheat-based products. Private label pasta has become 50% more expensive in the past year and bread has risen in price by around 20%, according to preliminary estimates from the UK Statistics Office (ONS). In the same period, the price of fries on the shelf fell by 3% and that of potatoes even by 15%. The war in Ukraine often talks about consequences for the availability of grain. However, Russia and Ukraine can also be found in the list of major potato producers. According to FAO figures, Russia produced 2019 million and Ukraine 22 million tons of potatoes in 20. This makes them the third and fourth largest potato producers in the world respectively. And that smaller production in other parts of the world may offer opportunities for UK growers, according to Taylor.