UK potato prices are currently up 30% year-on-year (y-o-y) due to a decline in production. This is due to potato output in the UK falling 5% y-o-y for 2016/17 to 5.2m metric tons, 2% below the five-year average, despite an increase in planted area, according toMintec analysts.

Yields in 2016/17 are estimated at 44.9 metric tons per hectare, down 8% on last year, due to adverse weather throughout the growing season.

Planting was delayed in spring due to cold and wet weather conditions, while higher rainfall and fewer sunshine hours affected the development of crops between April and July. In addition, the harvest was delayed in September and October due to dry weather.

This decline in production saw UK potato stocks fall to their lowest level since 2012/13 to 2.9m metric tons in November. Prices in the UK have also strengthened due to scarce supplies elsewhere in Europe.

Potato processors from Great Britain may have to look to import raw products from further afield than usual, perhaps looking to countries such as Poland, where the harvest has been better than in NEPG countries, said Arthur Marshall, analyst AHDB Potatoes.

A similar situation was recorded in Belgium, where the potato crop was not as expected, due to weather conditions during the growing season, but processors opted for a long term vision, with a solid contract basis, available storage and scheduled purchases on the market, says Romain Cools, secretary general Belgapom, for PotatoBusiness.com.