UK Growers Are Experiencing a Shortage of Seed Potatoes for the Second Consecutive Year
According to an article by Gerard Croft from the British Potato Trade Association (BPTA) and distributed by GB Potatoes, UK growers are experiencing a shortage of seed potatoes for the second consecutive year, especially for specific kinds.
This is due to several reasons, as is frequently the case in such circumstances. One is that, particularly in England, which provides about one-third of the seed potatoes used to make ceramics in England and Wales, the Seed Yields in 2023 and 2024 fell short of forecasts as a result of unfavorable climatic circumstances.
“Brexit has meant that EU seed potatoes can no longer be traded or marketed within the UK, limiting potential imports to cover shortfalls,” Croft explained. He added that Brexit has stopped any seed potato exports from GB to the EU, ‘negatively impacting upon planting area given that any surpluses can no longer be exported to Europe’.
Gerard Croft says that Brexit has also made it impossible for any imported seed potatoes to be used in the UK SPCS, making the sector nearly entirely dependent on UK-grown seed.
“Increasing demand from non-EU markets, often for varieties not (or no longer) used within the UK, is competing with the production of seed for the UK market,” Croft also declared.
Last but not least, the percentage of land dedicated to seed potato production has decreased recently due to the recent increase in the risk vs. benefit ratio for seed production compared to ware production; this is also occurring in the UK and the EU.
“Following much lobbying, both within the UK and EU by industry and trade bodies, last October the EU conducted an audit of the UK’s seed potato production to engage in discussions about re-opening the trade with the EU. To date, the results of this audit have yet to be published. Even after publication, further steps will be required before bilateral trade in seed potatoes can resume as it was pre-Brexit,” he explained.
Under the Seed Potato Marketing Regulations (Seed Potato Regulations (E&W) 2015 and Seed Potato Regulation (Scotland) 2015), it is illegal to market potatoes intended for seed use unless certified under these regulations, including Farm Saved Seed Potatoes (whether or not they have undergone tuber virus indexing). The industry remains in active dialogue with authorities in Scotland and England to adapt these regulations as necessary, as demonstrated by recent and upcoming virus summits.
Additionally, under the Official Controls legislation, for quarantine pest reasons, it is illegal to plant any potatoes that do not comply with these regulations.
“These challenges highlight the importance of ongoing collaboration between industry stakeholders and government authorities to address seed availability and regulatory requirements effectively,” he concluded.
