Church calls on congregations ‘to pray to end rain’.

The cost of potatoes has reached its highest level for a decade, with prices expected to rise above £1 a kilogram, the highest in 30 years.

Industry experts predict shortages of many varieties are likely in the coming months. with so-called ‘spudflation’ taking hold as farmers struggle to deal with the wettest 18 months since 1836.

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.”

Some suppliers were now beginning to put limits on the orders the could fulfil, he added.

The Consumer Price Index shows average prices 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.

In Ireland, the Methodist church has even called on congregations to ‘pray to ease the rain’ as well as ‘an understanding and appropriate response from Government’ the FT reported.

The UK’s Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, which monitors crop yields and farming practices, today warned the price of other staples such as bread and oil would also continue to rise because of the wet weather.

With more volatile weather predicted in years to come, the Soil Association and the National Farmers Union are among those warning that greater funding to help farmers to adapt.

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