Growers on Jersey said this week that the start of the Jersey Royals potato season would be delayed by 10 days after severe winter weather conditions caused widespread damage to crops.
Retailers should be prepared for lighter supplies than expected and may not receive any potatoes until the second week of April at the earliest.
The initial prognosis early last week was that the cold weather would reduce the likelihood of an early season.
However, frost damage to crops had been minimal, and most planted areas had been covered with fleece - double covered in some areas - as a precaution. But the cold weather persisted, with temperatures dropping to as low as -6C.
Tim Ward, sales manager at Jersey Royal Potato Marketing, which markets 75% of the island’s potato crop, said: “Some of the more exposed land was worst hit. In more sheltered areas the crops have been tinged and look a bit sorry for themselves, but they still have green shoots and we expect them to come back.
“I’ll be surprised if we lift any of the outdoor crop until the second week of April.
“And the initial crop will be lighter than expected.”
Growers were hoping for warmer weather and rain, said Ward, although the forecast was for more cold nights.
Richard Clarke
Retailers should be prepared for lighter supplies than expected and may not receive any potatoes until the second week of April at the earliest.
The initial prognosis early last week was that the cold weather would reduce the likelihood of an early season.
However, frost damage to crops had been minimal, and most planted areas had been covered with fleece - double covered in some areas - as a precaution. But the cold weather persisted, with temperatures dropping to as low as -6C.
Tim Ward, sales manager at Jersey Royal Potato Marketing, which markets 75% of the island’s potato crop, said: “Some of the more exposed land was worst hit. In more sheltered areas the crops have been tinged and look a bit sorry for themselves, but they still have green shoots and we expect them to come back.
“I’ll be surprised if we lift any of the outdoor crop until the second week of April.
“And the initial crop will be lighter than expected.”
Growers were hoping for warmer weather and rain, said Ward, although the forecast was for more cold nights.
Richard Clarke
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