Potato harvest in the UK in a 'potentially disastrous situation'

In yesterday's Potato Weekly the Potato Council describes the lifting procgress of the 2012 potato crop: the potato harvest in the United Kingdom is still three weeks behind last season.

Freshplaza cites Colin Galbraith from Moorehouse and Mohan in an item on the harvest progress, who calls the situation potentially disastrous: "The amount of potatoes in storage is minimal and in some areas the harvest is only 30% complete with fields waterlogged, frost and snow is forecast for the end of the week, this is a potentially disastrous situation."

The Potato Council Grower Panel Lifting Survey estimates that over 77,000ha (64% of the total crop and over 9,000ha greater than last week's estimate) was cleared to Friday 19 October, with the GB harvest running approximately three weeks behind last season. The current estimate is over 38,000ha less than the same week in 2011 (116,000ha, 91% clearance) and over 35,000ha less than the average of the previous three seasons.

Incidences of wastage including greens, slug damage, growth cracks and rots associated with the wet conditions were reported in all areas.

In the East lifting progress was variable with heavy rain affecting all areas mid week adding to already difficult land conditions. Yorkshire and the North East experienced the brunt of the weather with further waterlogging reported. Further South and in East Anglia conditions were slightly better but progress was only steady at best. A lack of leaders in many crops was also reported. In the West wet weather further interrupted lifting in most areas.

Situations were particularly difficult in Herefordshire where harvesters struggled in wet land conditions whenever possible and soil extraction prior to loading into store proved very labour intensive. There were more reports of further waterlogging in Lancashire. Yield estimates remain variable in a range of 32-50t/ha.

In the South wet weather continued to disrupt land work, particularly potato lifting, with some growers proceeding in increasingly difficult land conditions. Problems of excessive soil, together with lower than average yields were reported.

In Scotland heavy periods of rain interrupted lifting in all areas and some overnight frosts were reported in the North. Poor lifting conditions resulted in heavy soil adherence and some crops having to be dried and cooled to prevent breakdown in store. Some growers are starting to consider over wintering crops unless conditions improve soon. Yields remain variable.