The article highlights the challenges potato farmers in Ireland and Europe are facing due to adverse weather conditions, including cold weather and frequent rainfall, which have delayed the planting season and slowed down plant growth. This situation, which has already resulted in limited potato stocks from the previous year, is expected to lead to even tighter supplies as summer approaches. The issue is further compounded by recent hail storms in the Netherlands and France, which have damaged potatoes and other crops. The full extent of the weather's impact on this season's potato crop remains uncertain.