11/08/2026
THE UK DROUGHT & OUR POTATOES!
You’ve probably noticed just how dry the countryside is looking at the moment and the current drought is having a very real impact on British agriculture.
As of 10 August, around 71% of England is officially in drought, affecting approximately 45 million people. England and Wales have also just experienced their driest July in around 190 years, with parts of the South East receiving just 1% of their expected rainfall.
For farmers, conditions like these are incredibly challenging. Potatoes need a reliable supply of water while they’re growing, and prolonged hot, dry weather means crops can struggle to develop properly. Earlier Environment Agency figures were already showing record soil moisture deficits across several parts of England, alongside restrictions on agricultural water abstraction.
Unfortunately, this is now having a knock on effect on the potato market.
The availability and cost of potatoes are being affected, and we’re being warned to expect significant increases in the price we pay for our potatoes.
I’m currently working closely with our suppliers to understand exactly what those increases are likely to look like over the next couple of weeks. Once I have a clearer picture, I’ll be able to assess what impact, if any, this will have on us going forward.
As always, we’ll do everything we can to manage increases sensibly while continuing to use the quality potatoes our customers expect.
It’s another reminder that the price of fish & chips isn’t just determined by what happens inside the shop what happens in British fields matters too.
Ryan & the team
Harrison’s Fish & Chips
