Due to a heatwave this summer, the Czech Association of Potato growers estimate a loss of 30-40% in potatoes this year. The yield following this years harvest is the lowest on record since 1920. Producers who are able to prove their losses will be compensated.
Due to the low yield, potato prices have risen significantly - currently at seven crowns a kilo which is three times higher than last year.
Theagriculture minister stressed that potato producers are not the only growerswho will likely post significant losses; others who may be eligible for afinancial boost may be other fruit and vegetable growers, hops producers oreven cattle farmers, who were unable to grow enough feed and will have to spendmore as a result in the winter months. Overall support for farmers, theminister estimated, is likely to go into the hundreds of millions of crowns.
