UK and European potato harvests could be 3.5 mln tons below expectations

Potato harvests in the UK and Europe could come in around 3.5 mln tons below expectations due to dry weather and high temperatures. Moisture shortages were particularly damaging during the key tuber development period.

Growers are also facing higher fuel, fertilizer and energy costs, increasing the cost of production and processing. Combined with lower yields, this could add further price pressure during the winter.

With demand remaining relatively stable, tighter potato supplies could push retail prices higher. Consumers may also shift towards alternative starch sources such as oats, barley, beans and lentils.

Leafy vegetables, including spinach and lettuce, have also been affected by heat and water stress. Their shallow root systems make them particularly vulnerable to drought, while high temperatures can trigger premature bolting and reduce market quality.

Retailers may partly offset shortages by sourcing additional produce from countries with better water availability, including Spain. However, weather-related risks remain elevated across much of Europe.

Tags: harvest, EU, UK, potato