The prolonged wet weather that has battered the country this summer means a potato shortage is on the horizon. When it is time to harvest, potatoes need dry conditions, which they received little of this season. The wet weather also stopped farmers from entering paddocks with tractors and harvesting equipment.
Potatoes were one of the three main produce items that contributed to the 23 percent increase in fruit and vegetable prices between December of 2022 and December 2021. Within grocery items, potato chips were one of the largest contributors to their 11 percent increase.
New Zealand uses more land for potato growing than any other crop - 10,000 hectares of land is utilised by 175 commercial growers. Only 20 percent of the nation's harvest is used as fresh produce, ten percent is used for seed, and the remaining 70 percent is sent for processing.
Australia has already faced the effects of a shortage after major flooding devastated crops and hiked wholesale prices up by 25 percent. Purchase limits have been placed on frozen french fries in supermarkets, and customers have single bags of Red Rock Deli chips retailing between AU $5 and AU $6. Issues are expected to continue through at least February.
