UK Growers Urged to Be “Strong Sellers” as Europe’s Potato Shortfall Is Estimated at Over 3.5 Million Tonnes

The Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU) has warned Northern Ireland's potato growers against accepting unsustainable farmgate prices, FarmingUK reported on 21 October. The call comes as weather losses across north-west Europe tighten supply and as growers in England decide how much of their crop to store and when to sell.

"Strong sellers, not price takers"

In a statement issued on 20 October, the UFU urged growers to negotiate firmly, stay informed about market conditions and recognise the investment needed to produce a quality crop. The union did not name a minimum sustainable price. "Growers need to be strong sellers, not simply price takers," said UFU deputy president Clement Lynch.

The warning follows the collapse of Glens of Antrim Potatoes, which entered administration in September after more than 50 years in business, leaving most of its 95 employees out of work. The administrators cited rising wages, fuel, energy and machinery costs.

A smaller crop across Europe

According to a September analysis by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), cited by FarmingUK, adverse weather could cut potato harvests in Germany, France, Belgium and the Netherlands by about 3.1 million tonnes compared with five-year averages, and by more than 3.5 million tonnes including expected losses in Great Britain. ECIU estimated British growers' losses from reduced yields at £80 million to £169 million. Processing market prices exceeded £300 per tonne in September, compared with £180 in February; FarmingUK notes that these are processing prices, not current Northern Ireland farmgate returns.

The Irish Farmers' Association's market report of 14 October pointed to highly variable yields, cost concerns and strengthening consumer demand, while dry soils and tuber damage slowed harvesting in Belgium and northern France.

How one grower plans to store 5,000 tonnes

Farmers Weekly on 21 October described how Cambridgeshire grower Steve Edgley plans to store up to 5,000 tonnes this season across five types of store. The family grows 200 ha of potatoes, mainly for fish and chip shops; about 75% of this year's crop was irrigated.

Harvested potatoes are graded by size and dry matter. Smaller, low-dry-matter tubers, which bruise more easily, are sold first. Two 500-tonne bulk stores hold early-graded crop and are expected to last until about February, while two 1,500-tonne ambient-air box stores and a 1,000-tonne refrigerated store kept at about 9°C hold the longer-term crop. Unloading runs at 400–500 tonnes a week.

Contracts have been the farm's safety net. Last year 66% of the crop was contracted at £350 per tonne, while the free-buy market averaged £110–120 per tonne. This year the contract price is £300 per tonne, and Edgley has contracted a smaller share; free-buy prices in September averaged about £360–380 per tonne. "What kept us alive was our contracts," he told Farmers Weekly. He warned that if prices keep rising to £700–800 per tonne, more chip shops could go out of business.

What this means for farms and the market

1. Know your costs before you sell: the UFU's message is that growers who know their cost per tonne and the value of their crop negotiate from a stronger position.
2. A balance of contract and free market spreads risk: Edgley's experience shows contracts protected income in a low-price year, while a free-buy share captures upside in a tight one.
3. Sell by storability: moving smaller, low-dry-matter tubers first and keeping robust crop for long-term storage is a general practice worth discussing with your agronomist and store manager.

Sources: FarmingUK (21.10.2026) https://www.farminguk.com/news/northern-irish-potato-growers-warned-over-unsustainable-farmgate-prices_69342.html ; Farmers Weekly (21.10.2026) https://www.fwi.co.uk/arable/potatoes/how-grower-plans-to-store-5000t-of-potato-in-tough-season