With trade for the 2017 potato crop remaining lacklustre, weather conditions have been significantly hampering 2018 plantings. According to the Royal Jersey Company it is about three weeks behind schedule. A combination of frozen ground earlier in the month and rainfall on the slopes has meant as at 19th March just 56% of the export crop had been planted, the furthest behind it has been for 10 years. In addition, where planting has taken place, frost damage was widespread in the earliest crops that had emerged, although there are signs of recovery. Indoor crops have started to be lifted, but again sub-zero temperatures have negatively impacted the growth of these.
The conditions are not unique to Jersey, anecdotal reports reveal the situation is similar in Cornwall, with planting progress significantly behind ‘normal’ years. Even where planting is possible, the cold soil temperature is likely to hamper growth. With the delays, we could see more earlies coming to market at the same time, which could put prices under pressure. But the likely delays in the new crop, could help old season prices, particularly salad potatoes. Reports suggest these have been storing well.
