Drought has affected crops in Germany, France, the Netherlands and Belgium, which account for the largest share of EU potato production.
Dry summer weather has seen Europe’s lowest potato harvest in years, which could raise the price of popular foods such as french fries, Reuters reported.
Drought has affected crops in Germany, France, the Netherlands and Belgium, which account for the largest share of EU potato production. The potato harvest is likely to be lower than in 2018, when drought also hit Europe.
For example, the German Ministry of Agriculture did not provide a forecast for potato harvests in the latest analysis, but noted that it had “deteriorated significantly.” French producer UNPT believes the yield will be 20% below the 20-year average.
European growers warn that crop estimates are not final, as it will be harvested in September; in addition, some hope is provided by the rain and cooling of the last few days.
In addition to affecting the quantity of the harvest, the heat also reduces the quality of the crop. This, in turn, affects the processing of potatoes, which means that the cost of potato products will include not only an increase in the cost of energy, but also high production costs.
The most popular potato futures for April 2023 are up almost 50% this year. And international food companies like McDonald’s have already increased the price of their products due to the increase in the price of raw materials.
Remember that scientists from the Food Standards Agency from Oxford named products that have a negative impact on the environment. They studied greenhouse gas emissions, land use and water scarcity. Meat, nuts and dried fruit, coffee, cheese, fish and seafood, tea, pies, quiches and party foods, jams, chocolate and prepared foods also have the worst impact on the environment. And zucchini and liqueur, fried potatoes, onion rings, rice, juice and olives have little effect.
Source: korrespondent
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