The BPC planting estimates for 2003 are 11.9 per cent down on the final 2002 potato plantings of 138,664 hectares.
But, it has revised initial figures for this year for England, Scotland and Wales, which are estimated to be up from 121,100ha to 122,107ha.
The majority of first early varieties have decreased in total by 22.1 per cent. The first and second early varieties now represent 32.2 per cent of total plantings down from 35.8 per cent in 2002. This decline is attributed in the area of the packing variety Estima.
Maincrop varieties have shown a decrease of seven per cent. Maris Piper remains the most popular variety and now accounts for almost 25 per cent of the total planted area in the UK.
Compared to Northern Europe's other major potato producing nations, UK has seen a significant decrease in plantings year-on-year, although the Dutch plantings have shown an overall decrease of 2.4 per cent.
The total planting estimate is based on 85 per cent of planting returns.
