UK: Value of Scottish potato industry more than just small potatoes

However, a new report by researchers at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) has highlighted a 71% reduction in the demand for fresh potatoes in the UK since the 1970s, with consumers switching to alternatives such as rice and pasta. More recently, the loss of access to export markets for seed potatoes following Brexit represents another loss of demand, particularly for Scotland where seed production is more important due to its disease-free growing conditions and associated ‘high health’ status. Overall, the report found the potato market was more stable in Scotland than at a UK level, representing nearly a quarter of the overall potato production from farms. The farm gate production of potatoes in Scotland – including seed and ware potatoes – had a value of around £245m between 2018-2020. This represented 6% of Scottish agricultural output and 22% of UK potato production. While the UK is now importing more potato products - including processed products - than it is exporting, it is ...