America braces for a French fry shortage after heavy rain and snow wrecked potato harvests across parts of the US and Canada
- US and Canada have seen cold weather, rain and snow blight potato harvests
- Areas of Manitoba, North Dakota and Minnesota some of the worst hit states
- US Department of Agriculture estimates potato output will drop 6.1 per cent
- This would make this year the lowest harvesting level in America since 2010
America and Canada are facing a shortage of French fries after potato harvests were damaged
The US is facing a French fry shortage after harvests across parts of America and Canada were blighted by heavy rain and snow.
Cold weather and the impact of Hurricane Dorian have damaged potato crops in the United States and Canada, experts have warned.
The harsh weather in October has caused potatoes to be smaller and put pressure on supplies as French fries tend to use longer crops of the vegetable.
Growers in Manitoba, North Dakota and Minnesota were hit by snow and rain, forcing them to abandon some supplies in fields, according to Bloomberg.
Farmers in Alberta and Idaho were reportedly able to dig up some of the damaged crops for storage before they were completely ruined.
The US Department of Agriculture is estimating that domestic potato output will drop 6.1 per cent this year, which would be the lowest level since 2010.
Idaho, which is the nation’s top potato producer, is expected to see its harvest fall 5.5 per cent.
Travis Blacker, industry-relations director with the Idaho Potato Commission, said an increase in demand for French fries has also caused supplies to be lower.
The US Department of Agriculture is estimating that domestic potato output will drop 6.1 per cent this year, which would be the lowest level since 2010
He told Bloomberg: ‘French fry demand has just been outstanding lately, and so supplies can’t meet the demand.’
The United Potato Growers of Canada forecasts that about 18 per cent of the province of Manitoba’s planted area was left unharvested, which is the country’s second-largest potato grower.
Canada has seen a rise in the country’s capacity to process french fries and an increase in demand for the deep-fried snack.
Kevin MacIsaac, general manager of the United Potato Growers of Canada, added: ‘Potatoes are going to have to move from one channel to another that they sometimes don’t move in a normal year.’