POTATO growers in Herefordshire are gearing up for the harvest and with prices in a seasonal dip many are wondering just how they are going to fare.

Already a large volume of potatoes has been dug indifferent parts of the country and other factors have come into play to influence prices.

Louise Chapman, local field manager of the British Potato Council, said: "Late, wet harvests last year persuaded some growers to switch to earlier maturing varieties that can be lifted when the weather is more likely to be fair. This has resulted in a larger-than-usual volume of second-early varieties being available at this point in time and so there is a resultant affect on price."

However, she said yields nationally appeared to be lower than last year due mainly to the cold, wet conditions this spring and the late planting of many local crops.

The slight increase in the planted area compared with last year will have been cancelled out by the lower yields, so the total volume of crops grown this year could be less than last time. Said Louise: "This bodes well for prices later in the season for well-stored, good-quality crops."

Growers in Hereford and Worcester have traditionally been good at storing potatoes for use later in the season both by processing and pre-packing customers.

Said Louise: "There is the potential for this to be an easier year than last with many growers building good working relationships with their customers, leading to better prices and profitability for all concerned." She said an important message for anyone storing crops this year was to consider carefully the market they would be targeting and to grade crops accordingly, maybe selling now the less-valuable fractions.

Careful grading into store and good store management were the key points, added Louise.

John Plant, general manager of Gamber Produce at Peterstow, said that although the growing season had been fairly good, producers needed more rain. In some instances growers were having to irrigate to avoid bruising during lifting. The crop was looking good, he said, but could be on the small size. Prices had dropped to £50-£60 per tonne.