Unseasonably warm weather is storing up problems for potatoes. October 2001 was the warmest October on record and November has also seen higher temperatures than average for the time of year. These conditions are now creating difficulties for potatoes in store, which could see a reduction in saleable volume coming out of store later in the season.

Some regions are worse affected that others, especially where potatoes have been lifted during wet spells or from very wet soils. Fungi and bacteria are now posing a threat to these crops. Potatoes put into storage using outside air for drying and cooling are most at risk.

Reducing temperatures in store has been a problem given the warm outdoor temperatures, however sudden cold snaps have proved too cold for some crops for processing.

'There is a significant amount of soft rot about, particularly on crops from areas that received a lot of rain towards the end of October,' said Adrian Cunnington of the British Potato Council's specialist storage unit at Sutton Bridge. There have also been instances of other disease such as blight blackleg and rubbery rot. Growers will therefore have to reduce the safe holding period for these crops. This could mean potatoes being released onto the market sooner than planned with supplies running tighter towards the end of the season.