Vegetable’s production holds firm

Scottish potato production held firm this year, with a 3% increase in yields being recorded over 2017, according to the latest annual estimates from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).

The Scottish experience contrasts with the total British potato harvest, which finished 13% down on the five-year average at 4.9m tonnes.

“The British crop was heavily impacted by a combination of late planting and the prolonged hot and dry weather that stalled tuber growth in June and July,” said the AHDB.

It added that Scotland was the one area of Great Britain which avoided the effects of the summer heatwave.

While rainfall was significantly less than usual, Met Office data shows Scotland was both cooler and damper than its southern neighbour.