Flooded farm fields could batter North Yorkshire fish and chip shops
There's concerns there could be a supply issue for vegetable oil and potatoes.
In 2023/2024 the period between August and February was the second wettest it had been for that time since records began in the 19th centry.
Rain is important for farmers, but too much can leave the fields flooded and farmers unable to plant, maintain or harvest any of their crops.
As a result of this there's concerns that there could be a supply shortage going forward for things like potatoes and crops used to make vegetable oil.
When farmers have lower yields in their crops, they are forced to sell them at a higher cost to maintain their bussines.
What does this mean for the consumer
In simple terms if farmers are forced to charge more for their crops, then suppliers and retailers then have to pay more for the product, and this is often passed onto the consumer.
One of the sectors most affected by this is the take-away industry.
Latest ONS figures show the price of the average fish and chips is up 8 per cent in just one year, costing £9.71, with some places charging up to £14. It's believed this could continue to rise through to next year.
The Consumer Price Index shows average prices for potatoes are now at 84p a kilogram, the highest level since August 2014. However, prices are expected to rise above 103p a kilogram in the next few months, the highest level for the past 30 years, recorded after a particularly wet summer in 2012/2013 industry analysts said.
John Longmire from the NFU, the farmer's union, explains:
"In the growing season, you can soon loose a few tonne per acre and it adds up. We’ve lost a lot of crops due to flooding and water logged fields over winter and on the bottom line is you can’t work the ground while it’s wet.
"It’s a case of waiting for the water to evaporate, and then trying to get in to make it the soil drain better again afterwards, it’s a long process and the implications of the last six months will be felt for the next 18 I would’ve thought.
"The ground has been saturated since last October and most people putting crops in at 2 to 3 weeks behind and that’s going to have massive implications onto the coming winter. Potatoes are a crop that need to get into the ground in decent time, so they have the potential to grow in the best conditions.
"It’s critical crops go In early enough to get established, get growing because it needs to be harvested at the right time. The growing season you soon lose a few ton per acre and adds up.
"If the product isn’t there isn’t there and that does drive price rises as farmers. We want a fair share and to be able to make a living, but if the crop isn’t there then the farmer will need more money for his reduced crop."
In the supermarkets
The industry has also warned that a chilly spring is eating up existing stocks faster than expected as many households continue to eat 'hearty meals' more in keeping with winter than the traditional barbecues and salads of spring.
The leading UK potato supplier Albert Bartlett confirmed there is potentially "a gap between the stored crop and the new season crop" in the UK, caused by delay to spring plantings, due to waterlogged fields. Planting in Cornwall only commenced, this week, two months behind schedule'
"There will be shortages of some varieties, although customers may instead see that as Jersey potatoes across many of the shelves," technical director Paddy Graham-Jones said.
"We knew the industry was short due to the limited 2023 crop and we had hoped for a dry spring, and early plantings "
"The industry would normally have a new season early crop ready in June, but with planting now in April it means that won't be ready."