Potato Supply Falls October 28, 2016 12:00 am The supply of potatoes from the 2016 crop looks set to be lower. This is already having an effect on prices, with values being firmer than at the same time last year. In the UK the planted area for 2016 actually rose 4% to 116,000 Ha according to AHDB Potatoes. However, with the majority of lifting now completed yields have been average at best. Therefore, overall output could well be 5-10% lower. Also, importantly for prices, import competition is set to be lower this season. Other north European countries have seen the same disappointing yields as here in Britain. The latest estimates from North-West European Potato Growers (NEPG) countries which comprises GB, France, Belgium Netherlands and Germany suggests total production will be around 2% downon last year. In addition, the shift in currency means that GB prices are trading at a discount to continental ones – a reversal of the usual situation.
