After three low yield years the health of the crop is said to be good, although pest damage and cases of black leg and common scab are said to be higher than last year.

Concern was beginning to develop amongst some growers that they would have insufficient storage capacity, especially as movement off the field has been so poor. Harvest to September 18 was estimated at 46,900 ha (36.0 per cent), compared to 34,200 ha (26.6 per cent) in 2008.

Improved weather conditions last week allowed harvest to progress well, particularly in the South East and Western and Northern areas. However, in parts of Cambridgeshire and East Anglia soils remain very dry, with some growers reporting no rain for up to six weeks

Irrigation of around one inch has been essential prior to harvest to reduce bruising, although in some cases moisture has disappeared rapidly and two applications have been necessary. Soil on harvester webs is very limited and in some cases growers have stopped lifting until conditions improve.

Wastage levels are increasing in both packing and processing crops due to damage and bruising, particularly with high dry matters reported at 25 per cent and an odd crop up to 30 per cent.

There are also rejections for oversize tubers in some bulk packing loads. Lifting to temporary stores is increasing whilst loading for long term storage is starting to get underway.

In Scotland harvest conditions have improved over the last week with drier sunnier weather, although heavy soils remain wet underneath the surface. Combining cereals is coming to an end with seed growers moving crops to store and more Ware producers also starting storage, although most movement is still for immediate sale.

Recent heavy rain has caused water damage to some crops, but difficult to estimate the extent at this stage. Common scab appears to be fairly general and growth defects are also being reported. Yields are variable but Ware crops are generally good.