April 1st is generally the target date to start planting potatoes in the UK, but with the amount of rain which has continuously fallen so far this year that might be delayed.
"In Scotland even if we don't start planting until the 15th of April it is no big crisis, the date we finish the harvest is more of an issue," said Robert Doig from Caledonia Potatoes in Perthshire. "A lot of the bigger potato farmers have mixed crops and due to the horrible, wet weather they will still have lots to do before potato planting starts."
At the moment there is heavy rainfall in most parts of the UK and that is not forecast to change for a couple of weeks at least.
"The wet weather and delays planting is a bigger problem for growers further south, as here in Scotland we have longer daylight hours which adds up over the summer months. A short season can lead to a drop in yields, but this will mean the chance of a better trade."
There are still potatoes in stock, but if the season is delayed prices will increase even more as we progress.
"I think this will lead to good start to the new season, prices at the moment certainly reflect low stocks. We are seeing prices of more than £400 a tonne, which we have not seen before. That said we are coming off three years of bad seasons, so while there is some opportunity to recoup some losses, we are not any better off in the long term."
Although stocks are low Robert doesn't see supplies running out, and there are some imports coming in from Egypt and France.
For more information:
Robert Doig
Caledonia Potatoes
Tel: +441738 446 723
robert@caledoniapotatoes.com
caledoniapotatoes.com