A number of retailers have pledged to help support British potato farmers who have been severely hit by the extreme weather in Noevmber and December. The AHDB estimated 11% of the potato crop was still left in the ground by 12 November, suggesting higher losses than the predicted 3%.
Potato growers, mainly in Lincolnshire, Norfolk and parts of Yorkshire, have been badly hit by crop damage after suffering the worst flooding since 2012. Lincolnshire received double their seasonal average rainfall and about half of their expected annual rainfall in just three months.
Tesco has widened their specifications for fruit and vegetables, and that they are now selling potatoes with a blue sticker reading: “I’m not looking my gorgeous normal self but I still taste great. Buy me and support British farmers affected by the floods”.
The NFU are also aware that Asda have relaxed their potato specifications and Waitrose are also working with their supplier partners, where needed, to change specification requirements.
The NFU will continue to raise the challenges our growers face, and ask for support from the whole food industry, during the challenging weather conditions.