Potato Plantings 2014

Potato plantings in Great Britain fell by 2.1% between 2013 and 2014, according to provisional Potato Council figures.  The area cropped this year is put at 119,900 hectares compared to 122,400 last year.  The figures are based on a survey covering 63% of the potato area, so could change.  However, the overall trend of a drop in area is unlikely to alter.  The GB area is 8% down over the last five years.  Using an average yield for the last five years (44.9 tonnes per Ha) gives a total estimated 2014 crop size of 5.39 million tonnes.  This is 6% down on 2013 output.  However, current crop conditions, and early liftings suggest that the yield this year will be considerably higher than the 5-year average.  This is likely to see an output close to, or even exceeding last years.  Market prices continue to be weak on the expectation of a sizeable crop.  For more details see – http://www.potato.org.uk/sites/default/files/%5Bcurrent-page%3Aarg%3A%3F%5D/First%20estimate%20of%20total%20potato%20plantings%20in%20GB%20in%202014.pdf