Potato growers have cut production by as much as 27pc in the past two years in an effort to curb losses on the crop.
The latest figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show the acreage of land sown to potatoes fell by 15pc last year, while growers are believed to have slashed the acreage by a further 10-12pc in 2012.
Growers lost €1,300-1,500/ac on potatoes last year, not including the costs of bagging, washing and storage, according to preliminary figures from the IFA.