The potato harvest has had its chips thanks to drought: Shortage could push up price of crisps and chips



Britain faces a potato shortage this summer if low rainfall persists in the south of England, according to a new forecast.



Any shortfall will lead to higher prices for chips, crisps and bags of potatoes.



Other vegetables including carrots, onions, cauliflowers, broccoli and lettuce are also threatened by the lack of the rain, and higher prices in the shops will add pressure to already-squeezed family budgets.

Prices for chips, crisps and bags of potatoes may increase if low rainfall continues

Dire problems affecting fresh food supplies this year are included in a ‘drought prospects’ report to be published by the Environment Agency on Tuesday.



Officials will appeal to the public to stop squandering vital water supplies to ensure there is a sufficient amount to grow crops.



Peter Kendall, of the National Farmers’ Union, said: ‘Some growers have cut back on planting by 20 per cent. But are the water companies using their supplies sparingly? Are consumers? Are golf courses still being watered? We should not be throwing water around with a gung-ho attitude.’



Two inches of rain fell in the South last week but it was not enough. Water levels at Ardingly and Bewl reservoirs, which supply households in the South-East, remain exceptionally low. While supplies in the North, Scotland and Wales are plentiful, hosepipe bans in London, the South and the Midlands are expected within weeks.

