Heatwave good for sunbathers, bad for potatoes: crisp boss

18-Jul-2013 - Last updated on 28-Sep-2021 at 11:18 GMT

Britain’s current heatwave could add extra stress to UK potato producers that have already experienced a “very tough” year, according to the boss of one crisp firm.

Rod Garnham, md of Ely-based Corkers, told FoodManufacture.co.uk in this exclusive video that the current hot spell was “good for sunbathers, not for potatoes”.

He added that firms in parts of the country where irrigation is not possible could find the summer particularly challenging if the hot weather continues.

Heatwave warning

The Met Office has issued a Level 3 heatwave action warning, which gives a 90% probability of heatwave conditions over the weekend. It has also predicted temperatures will increase next week.

The hottest day of the year so far was Wednesday (July 17) with a temperature of 32.2^oC recorded in Hampton Water Works in south west London.

In this video Garnham also discussed the challenges potato producers faced over the last “very tough” year, including some being unable to harvest and low production levels resulting in failure to fulfil their contracts.

He also said many farmers would reconsider how they arrange their contracts in case of another bad year.

Watch this video to find out why Garnham believed the UK will lose market share to mainland Europe and people needed to back British.