This year, an estimated 15 to 40% fewer Finnish potatoes will be harvested. The Finnish Åland islands are one of the regions that will be hard hit in this respect. "The situation is very unsettling", says Kaj Hemberg of the SLC (the Swedish Agricultural Producers' Central Federation) branch organization.
"We expect to get 40% of the normal harvest. However, there are vast regional differences", says Hemberg. When asked if certain varieties of potatoes were less vulnerable to the weather conditions, he said, "the growers can spread the risk. They should not limit themselves to one or two types."
Besides the disappointing harvest, Hemberg also finds the low prices in Finland concerning. "Potato growers everywhere had higher production costs. In a healthy market, prices rise when supply is low. In Finland, potato prices are lower than in other Northern European countries. So, it looks bad for the growers."