UK: Report warns of challenges to Scottish seed potato sector

A new report has demonstrated the economic importance of the Scottish seed potato sector amid growing concerns over the impact of Brexit, diseases and climate change. The report highlights 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. And more recently, the loss of access to export markets for seed potatoes following Brexit represents another loss of demand, researchers at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) warn. This is particularly true 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 £245 million between 2018-2020. This represented 6 ...