Wet weather is making potato harvesting difficult in Latvia. The crop is considered good this year, but part of it is expected to rot in waterlogged fields as machinery struggles to operate.

Aiga Kraukle, chairwoman of the Latvian Potato Growers and Processors Union, said the main problem for growers is now harvesting rather than yields. In many fields, the soil is so wet that potato harvesters cannot enter without getting stuck.

Kraukle said her farm had received 110 mm of rain in September so far, compared with a monthly norm of 60–70 mm. Potatoes cannot withstand prolonged waterlogging, and if tubers remain in wet conditions for more than two days, they have a high risk of rotting.

Conditions vary between farms and regions. In some fields, growers cannot even reach the potatoes because of the excessive moisture, while harvesting remains possible in others. However, farms belonging to the Potato Growers and Processors Union report significant problems with waterlogged fields across all regions of Latvia.

It is not yet possible to estimate the resulting crop losses, as conditions can change quickly and more wet weather is expected.

Potato growers are also facing damage from cockchafer larvae. There are still no effective means of controlling the larvae, so some potatoes are rejected and do not reach the market because they have been damaged by the pests.

High fuel costs are adding to the pressure on growers. According to Kraukle, current revenues from potato sales do not cover production costs. Growers cannot simply raise their prices because they are determined by potato buyers. If buyers can source cheaper potatoes, for example, from Poland, Latvian farmers will not be able to obtain a higher price.

Source - https://www.freshplaza.com