Escocia: Scottish potato planting called ’the biggest gamble in a generation
Some sources claim Scottish potato growers are facing the greatest uncertainty in years, as input costs have rocketed but markets remain stagnant.
A surplus of potatoes in the last few years had kept the market stagnant, leaving farmers selling at anything from £60/t to £220/t for ware, depending on grade. In contrast to these flat prices, fertilizer, fuel and rent costs are skyrocketing.
This is leaving many farmers wondering if planting this spring is a gamble they can afford to take. Industry experts say that 1 in 10 planned acres of seed and ware potatoes could go unplanted in 2022. Poor confidence in market prices is damaging growers’ confidence leading to cuts in area and production.
Commitment to strong prices from buyers is needed if farmers are going to get more potatoes in the ground, they state.
Fuente: https://www.freshplaza.com/article/9411057/scottish-potato-planting-called-the-biggest-gamble-in-a-generation/
