Tonnes of Jersey Royal potatoes left to rot in the fields

Tonnes of Jersey Royals are being left to rot in fields - because British supermarkets are importing cheaper potatoes from Europe.

The combination of rain, sunshine and mild temperatures this spring has provided the perfect growing conditions for the classic British spud.

But because the rest of Europe has enjoyed similar weather there is a huge surplus of potatoes across the continent.

Farmers on the Channel Island of Jersey say they simply can't find buyers for this year's bumper crop because supermarkets are opting for cheaper imports.

This season's Jersey Royals are also bigger than usual so many shops are shunning them because they look too big to be typical new potatoes.

Tim Ward, sales and distribution director at Albert Bartlett potatoes, said the result is fields piled high with perfectly good spuds that will go to waste.

He said: "This has been the best growing season since 1997, when the generated 58,000 tonnes of crop. It's been incredible and there has been nothing to stop the crop growing.

"Normally you'd get frost or north-easterly winds or really wet or really dry weather, but we've had a perfect growing season.

"It has meant a bumper crop but unfortunately it hasn't just been confined to Jersey - the whole of Europe has experienced the same and there are potatoes coming from every conceivable area."
 

Planting Jersey Royals is still done by hand