British farmers told potatoes are underpinning the £4.5bn industry

The agricultural news article by The Courier highlights the underestimation of the UK potato industry's economic impact, as pointed out by Steven Thomson, a senior agricultural economist at SRUC. The sector's potential contribution to the economy is estimated to be as high as £4.5 billion, rather than the commonly held view of £765 million. This misperception could result in the industry receiving less political attention and potentially missing out on crucial government support. Thomson stressed the importance of considering the broader economic impact, which extends beyond the farm gate and includes the processing sector and the value chain. The seed potato sector, although small, plays a crucial role in supporting retail and processing activities, contributing to a significant portion of the sector's total value.