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Content Published September 20, 2025

Waiting for the first customer of the day, Baxters Chip Shop, Long Sutton, Lincolnshire.

In 2023, the word 'spudflation' briefly entered the lexicon. A summer drought followed by heavy autumn rain resulted in one of the lowest potato harvests on record. The poor weather was compounded by rising energy costs caused by the Russia-Ukraine war and labour shortages at home after the threat of compulsory vaccinations following the Covid 19 Pandemic saw an exodus of migrant workers from the UK.

Some farmers reduced or abandoned potato planting altogether in favour of more lucrative crops such as oilseed rape. The situation worsened in 2024, with the wettest 18-month period since 1836 (October 2022 to March 2024) causing significant delays in planting and harvesting. Waterlogged fields prevented machinery from operating effectively, and some crops were left to rot. The National Farmers' Union and potato growers like Albert Bartlett warned of "spudflation"rising costs due to limited supply, with prices exceeding £1 per kilo at times, a 30-year high.

The 2024 harvest came in at around 4.14 million tonnes, one of the smallest in recent history, further strained by a reduced planting area ,down 10-15% from 2022. The National Federation of Fish Friers noted that 2023 and 2024 were among the most expensive potato years since 1976 , with forecasts for spring 2025 suggesting chip shop prices could reach £20 per 25kg bag of potatoes, up from £15-£17 pre-drought.

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Content Published January 14, 2022

Si Barber

A stack of pallets in a field with a recruitment advertisement for agricultural workers, A17, Lincolnshire,UK. Since Brexit and Covid some famers have struggled to recruit workers.

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Content Published January 14, 2022

Si Barber

A stack of pallets in a field with a recruitment advertisement for agricultural workers, A17, Lincolnshire,UK. Since Brexit and Covid some famers have struggled to recruit workers.

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Content Published January 14, 2022

Si Barber

A stack of pallets in a field with a recruitment advertisement for agricultural workers, A17, Lincolnshire,UK. Since Brexit and Covid some famers have struggled to recruit workers.

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Content Published September 4, 2019

G's celery harvest, Cambridgeshire.

Alexie Giacomino Marcelof G’s Vegetables in Cambridgeshire, inspecting the 2019 celery crop before it is harvested and sold..

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Content Published August 22, 2019

G's celery harvest, Cambridgeshire.

Beverly Dixon of G’s Vegetables in Cambridgeshire, UK with the 2019 celery harvest.

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Content Published August 22, 2019

G's celery harvest, Cambridgeshire.

Beverly Dixon of G’s Vegetables in Cambridgeshire, UK with the 2019 celery harvest.

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Content Published August 22, 2019

G's celery harvest, Cambridgeshire.

The 2019 celery crop at G’s Vegetables in Cambridgeshire, UK

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Content Published August 22, 2019

G's celery harvest, Cambridgeshire.

The 2019 celery crop at G’s Vegetables in Cambridgeshire, UK

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Content Published August 22, 2019

G's celery harvest, Cambridgeshire.

Alexie Giacomino Marcelof G’s Vegetables in Cambridgeshire, inspecting the 2019 celery crop before it is harvested and sold..

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Content Published August 22, 2019

G's celery harvest, Cambridgeshire.

Alexie Giacomino Marcelof G’s Vegetables in Cambridgeshire, inspecting the 2019 celery crop before it is harvested and sold..

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Content Published August 22, 2019

G's celery harvest, Cambridgeshire.

Workers at G’s Vegetables in Cambridgeshire, UK reaping the 2019 celery harvest.

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Content Published August 22, 2019

G's celery harvest, Cambridgeshire.

Workers at G’s Vegetables in Cambridgeshire, UK reaping the 2019 celery harvest.

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Content Published August 22, 2019

G's celery harvest, Cambridgeshire.

Workers at G’s Vegetables in Cambridgeshire, UK reaping the 2019 celery harvest.

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Content Published August 22, 2019

G's celery harvest, Cambridgeshire.

Workers at G’s Vegetables in Cambridgeshire, UK reaping the 2019 celery harvest.

agricultural brexit celery employment emplyed farmer farming field fields gs harvest immigrants immigration labour si barber vegetables work workers www.sibarber.co.uk

Content Published August 22, 2019

G's celery harvest, Cambridgeshire.

Workers at G’s Vegetables in Cambridgeshire, UK reaping the 2019 celery harvest.

agricultural brexit celery employment emplyed farmer farming field fields gs harvest immigrants immigration labour si barber vegetables work workers www.sibarber.co.uk

Content Published August 22, 2019

G's celery harvest, Cambridgeshire.

Workers at G’s Vegetables in Cambridgeshire, UK reaping the 2019 celery harvest.

agricultural brexit celery employment emplyed farmer farming field fields gs harvest immigrants immigration labour si barber vegetables work workers www.sibarber.co.uk

Content Published August 22, 2019

G's celery harvest, Cambridgeshire.

Workers at G’s Vegetables in Cambridgeshire, UK reaping the 2019 celery harvest.

agricultural brexit celery employment emplyed farmer farming field fields gs harvest immigrants immigration labour si barber vegetables work workers www.sibarber.co.uk

Content Published August 22, 2019

G's celery harvest, Cambridgeshire.

Workers at G’s Vegetables in Cambridgeshire, UK reaping the 2019 celery harvest.

agricultural brexit celery employment emplyed farmer farming field fields gs harvest immigrants immigration labour si barber vegetables work workers www.sibarber.co.uk

Content Published August 22, 2019

G's celery harvest, Cambridgeshire.

Workers at G’s Vegetables in Cambridgeshire, UK reaping the 2019 celery harvest.

agricultural brexit celery employment emplyed farmer farming field fields gs harvest immigrants immigration labour si barber vegetables work workers www.sibarber.co.uk

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