The UK Potato Council has reported a 13 per cent drop in prices per tonne despite rising potato purchases.

In 2009 spud sales rose 4.2 per cent but potato officials branded demand for potatoes ‘inelastic'.

Potato Council chairman, Allan Stevenson urged farmers to analyse market data before planting in order to reach an assured market.

He said: "The potato market is proving to be extremely challenging. With the planting season gaining momentum, I feel that growers should re-assess the strength of the market for the crop they are about to plant to reduce the risk of continuing speculative tonnages overhanging the market in a year's time."

Furthermore he urged buyers to work closely and offer fair contracts in order to produce a balanced 2010 market place.

Interim director at the industry-funded organisation, Dr Rob Clayton, added that farmers should not focus on ‘persistent rumours' of acreage cutting which encourage speculative planting and can result in poor returns.