The latest potato stock statistics from 500 potato growers nationwide show Scottish growers hold 34% of Britain’s total stocks, up markedly from 25% at the previous count.
Scottish potatoes are becoming increasingly important to maintaining supply across the UK after prolonged droughts in England in 2018 resulted in lower yields.
Scotland avoided the worst of last year’s drought with production only slightly below average.
Heavy demand and issues with ambient storage saw above-average drawdown of potato stocks in England and Wales between November and January.
In Scotland, however, drawdown rates remained steady with better quality helping potatoes keep better in stores.
Levy board AHDB analyst Aidan Wright pointed out the start of the season saw massively reduced production across Britain, mitigated in part by a large carryover from the 2017 crop.
He added: “Scotland has remained fairly stable with large quantities of old crop potatoes being marketed well into the new season.
“This helped reduce dependence on new crop at the start of the season.
“The relatively healthy situation north of the border means that Scottish production has been supporting demand down south.
“Since harvest, Scottish potatoes have made a slow and steady exit from grower stores, heading south of the border and over the Channel to mainland Europe.”
Mr Wright said the 2019 crop appears to be coming on well, the reserves of potatoes left in Scotland would go some way to ensuring packing supply across Britain for the remainder of the season.”
nnicolson@thecourier.co.uk
