Finland: Poor potato crop could cause shortage

This year’s potato harvest could be smaller than expected thanks to the rainy summer. In recent years Finland has exported a large surplus, but that is unlikely to be possible with this year’s reduced yields. Last year Finland exported more than 30,000 tonnes, or more than two thirds of total potato production. The proportions are expected to reverse this year. This year’s heavy rains are expected to ensure the harvest is smaller than usual this year, and of poor quality in places. The majority of this year’s crop is expected to go to the domestic market.

Despite the shift in priorities, producers say that it isn’t possible to guarantee availability for even the Finnish market. "At this moment it is really difficult to say where we will be in the spring," said Antti Kuusisto of the Luonnosta Oy potato merchants. He says that a clear picture will not emerge until harvesting ends and stock forecasts are published at the beginning of November.

There is a potato shortage in many European countries, caused by the dismal summer rains that covered much of the continent. Kuusisto says that although the shortage will bring higher prices for producers, the poor harvest means they are unlikely to have a successful year.

Source: yle.fi