Potato stocks before Christmas fell from the previous year reaching nearly record lows after one of the smallest harvests on record.
Stores of potatoes in November 2018 dwindled to 2.97Mt, with drawdown, the rate at which potatoes are removed from store, lower than recent years at 39 per cent, three per cent lower than the five-year average.
This time last year, grower stocks were around 3.62Mt, with the lowest recent estimate in November 2012 at 2.66Mt.
Aidan Wright, market intelligence analyst at AHDB, said that there were signs of increased industry collaboration to make best use of the small harvest.
“In contrast to 2018, the 2017 crop was a large one so in September there were still plenty of potatoes in store in good condition that could be used by some sectors to bolster this season’s supplies.
“Packhouses and processors have also altered specifications to reduce waste, in order to get the most out of this season’s crop.
“In addition, many growers delayed harvesting to allow crops to bulk following the drought during the summer, reducing the time prior to November that crops were marketed.”
The AHDB recently freed up £800,000 to support store managers in managing potato stocks. According to Wright the unseasonably warm winter so far has caused stock breakdown earlier than expected.
“While the unseasonably warm weather is helping early planting, it is proving a challenge for those with ambient stores,” he added.
