South Australian heatwave causing national potato shortages
Lower yields across all of the South Australian growing regions, particularly in in the
Riverland and Mallee districts, are being experienced. South Australia is the nation’s largest potato producer (380,000 tonnes annually) and produces 80% of Australia’s fresh washed potatoes. Supply is all year round.
Robbie Davis, CEO of Potatoes South Australia Incorporated, said “Volumes of early-season crops harvested during December and January were lower than anticipated due to the battering received from the prevailing windy weather experienced during September and October. Now, the crops currently being harvested have been subjected to extremely hot weather which has reduced yields and delayed their maturity.”
“The heat has also resulted in far larger volumes of second quality potatoes being rejected and ‘graded out’ at the point of washing and packing, reducing the available supply of premium potatoes,” she added.
The February heatwave over a three week period resulted in delayed plantings which potentially will lead to a shorter than normal supply during May and June. It is expected that volumes will be below average from now until May. She stated that “Prices will spike by as much as 30% in the next fortnight, and will remain at these
levels until May due to greater competition for available supplies”.
Currently, loose washed potatoes of all varieties retail from $2.98 to $3.48 per kg. These prices could rise to as much as $5.00 per kg.
For more infromation:
Robbie Davis
Potatoes South Australia
Tel: +61 0427 084 319
Email: robbiedavis@potatoessa