Extreme wet weather hampers crops in potato growing regions

Extreme wet weather has potentially snagged a new victim, with a fast food favourite on the verge of a potential shortage.

Anthony Siljanovski at The Crispy Catch Fish & Chips in Mt Waverley. Picture: Mark Stewart

Victorians are on the verge of a potential hot chip shortage as potato farmers battle extreme wet weather conditions, shortening their growing season by six crucial weeks.

Ballarat-based Potato Farmer and Victorian Farmers Federation’s Katherine Myers told the Herald Sun growers in the area were preparing for a “challenging season” hampered by additional labour shortages and rising costs.

Crops from the Central Highlands are predominantly supplied for processed foods, with Mrs Myers’ a regular supplier to McCains in Ballarat and Lamb Western in Melbourne.

“Because of the consistent wet weather there’s been a delay in getting potatoes into the ground, everyone’s just really down” Mrs Myers explained.

Growers typically begin planting around late October to mid-November.

Mrs Myers predicts this season’s extreme weather will only allow for planting to begin in December: “That’s a six-week reduction in our growing season and a corresponding reduction in our yield.”

Hot chips could soon be short supply. Picture: Matt Thompson

“My husband’s out on the tractor as we speak, the top of the ground’s really dry and dusty because of some recent hot days, but he keeps getting bogged.”

“Potatoes have a really fixed growing season – they stop as soon as it gets cold.”

Extreme wet weather across the country has hampered crops in other potato growing regions.

“We’ve seen these conditions across all our potato growing regions, other regions that would normally pick up the tab if we’re short but they’re just not able to give what they’ve been through,” Mrs Myers said.

“The weather components are really difficult, but it’s been a really expensive year for any type of cropping.”

Rising costs of fuel, fertiliser and difficulty in securing labour is also contributing to what Mrs Myers described as a “snowballing event.”

“The growers producing processing potatoes need good yields to justify the cost of growing a crop of potato,” she said.

“Any delay in getting them into the ground will shorten that growing season and therefore reduce the yield.”

Extreme wet weather across the country has hampered crops in potato growing regions.

Mrs Myers predicts the challenging conditions may prompt some growers to consider leaving the industry.

The Herald Sun understands many growers in response have consolidated their farms and planted fewer acres of crops to combat the challenges.

Mrs Myers urged consumers to buy their produce outside of major supermarkets if possible. She estimates growers received a measly 0.33 cent return from a $5 packet of frozen chips.

“They should be aware that if they see a price increase in the product, it’s typically not the grower who is receiving the extra dollars. We’re made out to be the greedy ones but we’re not,” she said.

“We need consumers to understand the importance of buying homegrown local produce and supporting local growers.”

Crispy Catch Fish & Chips in Mt Waverley owner Anthony Siljanovski revealed suppliers had in recent months consistently raised the cost of a box of chips.

“Every six or seven weeks they’re increasing prices for chips and potato cakes,” he said.

This month’s price rise saw a 15kg box jump $10 – from $31 to about $41.

“What we’re getting told is that there are no potatoes in Victoria. The suppliers have to source from elsewhere instead of using local suppliers,” Mr Siljanovski said.

“Not only has the price increased but the quality has dropped off too. We’ve experienced average quality at times, but never prolonged shortages like this.”

“There’s also a big shortage of dim sims. I’m very lucky to get a box of it tomorrow, all the cabbage has been destroyed because of the floods.

Mr Siljanovsk said suppliers believe the quality will improve by mid-November.

Originally published as Extreme wet weather hampers crops in potato growing regions