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Inside one of Tim Rooke’s potato storage buildings in North Yorkshire, the harvest appears substantial, with around 700 tonnes held in this location alone destined for crisp production. However, despite the impressive volume, Rooke is far from satisfied with the crop’s overall quality. Holding up a large potato alongside two considerably smaller ones, he highlights a significant issue. “We’ve probably lost two tonnes on every fifty tonnes in here, potatoes that have just fallen through the graders because they are far too small,” he explains.
The poor size of the potatoes stems from an unusually long dry spell this summer, which caused the crop to begin dying prematurely. Consequently, Rooke was forced to harvest earlier than ideal, leaving many potatoes undersized and below the expectations of buyers. Discussing the future of potato farming, he expresses concern. “There will be fewer potatoes grown going forward. They are a very expensive crop to grow,” he says during a BBC visit to his farm near Helmsley. He adds that the ongoing challenges posed by climate change have dampened farmers’ enthusiasm for cultivating such a costly crop: “Most potatoes require 200ml of rain or other water and this year they’ve had about 35ml. It’s also been incredibly warm. Potatoes don’t bulk up above 28°C. I think we’ve had 40 days above that.”
A similar struggle is evident on a farm near Selby, where Richard Bramley reports anticipated potato yields down by 20 to 25 percent. Bramley calls for increased financial support from the government, suggesting interest-free loans to help farmers invest in their crops. He emphasizes the financial tightrope that many farmers walk: “We have to generate the income not just to live, but to produce the following year’s crop. That’s the dilemma so many farmers find themselves in at the moment.” Highlighting the strain the industry is under, Bramley observes that after several difficult years, farming resilience is weakening, although the full extent of the problem has yet to fully emerge.
Addressing the issue at a national level, the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) confirmed that food security remains a priority, with the Prime Minister committing a £65 million support package following visits to drought-affected farmers. DEFRA also announced plans to tackle the threats linked to climate change and biodiversity loss by establishing a new taskforce aimed at strengthening climate security. Scott Walker, chief executive of the growers’ association GB Potatoes, pointed out that shoppers should expect fewer large potatoes in stores this year due to the intense heat and dry weather restricting crop growth. He noted that while the full impact won’t be known until harvesting is complete, baked potato varieties in particular will likely be smaller. Nevertheless, Walker reassures consumers that the supply chain is efficient at maximizing available produce, ensuring quality and value remain high despite the challenging conditions
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