Demand for potatoes drops amid changing eating habits

Scotland’s potato farmers say rising costs of production and changing eating habits are putting them under pressure.

Soaring fuel and fertiliser costs mean it’s never been more expensive to grow the crop, and the number of potato growers has shrunk by 80% over the last 40 years.

Scotland produces around a quarter of all the potatoes in the UK, but the demand for tatties has dropped by 70% since the 1970’s.

Discussions are continuing around a European Union deal that could see seed potatoes exported into the EU again, a market that was previously worth millions.

There’s also some hope the affordable tattie will find favour with consumers again, as the cost of living continues to rise.