The potato season has started much earlier than usual this year, because of higher than average temperatures in Majorca, between December and February.

The Mateu Export company started collecting its Lady Christl variety on Wednesday and the first shipment will be on its way to the UK soon, majorcadailybulletin.com reports.

“Climate change is forcing us to adapt in many ways,” says Mateu Export’s Manager, Joan Mateu. “During the winter months this year, the plants had many hours of sunshine but the nights were cold, which protected the potatoes from fungi and mildew, which can wreak havoc on production.”

The effects of record-breaking floods from two storms and ground frosts over the last few weeks have been controlled by technology, but Joan Mateu says the worst has yet to come.

“The biggest danger comes in March, because high winds are really bad for our crops,” he says.

Mateu Export is the largest company in Sa Pobla, Majorca, with 420 hectares and a 65% share of the market, followed by Esplet which has 35% and will begin its campaign shortly.