UK potato cultivation area declines by 20%

Over the past decade, the area planted with potatoes in the UK has declined by approximately 20%. According to preliminary figures from industry organization GB Potatoes, potato cultivation covered around 100 thsd hectares in 2026. However, the pace of decline has slowed in recent years, indicating a gradual stabilization in production.

Despite the reduction in planted area, potatoes remain the UK’s second most valuable agricultural crop after wheat. According to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the value of potato production reached nearly £1.5 bln, or approximately $2 bln, in 2025. The crop accounted for around 4% of the total value of agricultural production while occupying just 0.6% of agricultural land.

The UK also remains one of the world’s leading countries in potato yields. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the country ranks third globally, behind New Zealand and the United States. Average potato yields in the UK are more than twice the global average, allowing growers to maintain substantial production volumes despite relatively limited planting areas.

Meanwhile, producers face increasing risks from drought and unreliable irrigation water supplies. According to British potato grower Alex Godfrey, who harvests around 20 thsd tons annually, approximately 1,000 dedicated commercial potato growers remain in the country. Water shortages and the need for investment in irrigation infrastructure continue to be among the industry’s major challenges.

GB Potatoes emphasizes that securing reliable access to water is essential for maintaining potato production in the UK. At the same time, the industry has opportunities to expand processing and develop a wider range of potato-based products, potentially increasing domestic consumption and supporting demand for British-grown potatoes.

Tags: UK, potato