The price of potatoes in the UK has risen sharply this month, reports portal edp24.co.uk. As recently as July, potatoes cost around £1 for a standard 2,5kg bag, a price that has hardly changed since April.
But now, at three of the six major retailers, prices have risen to £1,49 or £1,59, up 50% or more in a matter of weeks. Only Asda (99p) and Aldi (£1,09) are holding their prices, but experts warn that this may not last long.
Potatoes have been incredibly cheap for two years, farmers have been losing money since spring 2020. Now the prices have just reached the norm.
Raw potato sales declined as consumers shifted to prepackaged or processed alternatives, takeaways and dining out.
Three major potato growers in Norfolk have said they will move away from the business after this year's harvest. Collections were the worst since the driest summer since 1976. Other producers are reducing the area allocated for tubers.
The main reason is the increase in costs: diesel fuel has doubled in price, fertilizers have tripled, and electricity tariffs have risen sharply.
Potato grower William Gribbon, director of Heygate Farm in Swaffham, said he now has to pay £800 for a tonne of nitrogen fertilizer, up from £180 three years ago.
William Gribbon emphasized: “Prices will continue to rise, more farmers are switching to growing other products. People are not going to grow potatoes just like that.”