2023-08-25 21:30:39
The potato harvest in Switzerland has already been below average for the last two years. And this year, too, Swiss potato producers don’t have it easy: First, in spring, it rained too much, which made planting difficult. And now there’s the heat wave.
In the last few days, this has caused the thermometer to rise well above 30 degrees in many places – to the suffering of the potatoes. Ruedi Fischer, President of the Potato Producers’ Association, told SRF: “Potatoes should now be growing in many places. But at temperatures above 30 degrees, it becomes difficult.”
The hard soil, caused by the wet spring, also causes problems for the plants. After three difficult years, some farmers are now turning their backs on potatoes. Fischer explains: “I know various producers who no longer want to take the risk and say goodbye to potato cultivation.”
The industry now has to think about how to keep the willingness to grow high. Otherwise things would look bad for Swiss potatoes.
Buyers and retailers are also feeling the effects of the late harvest this year. “Additional imports were necessary in the last few weeks and months,” says Fischer. It wasn’t really common at the time.
As a result of climate change, more extreme weather is to be expected. The agricultural research institute Agroscope is therefore testing new potato varieties that can withstand the heat better. “The goal would be that we have a little more of these varieties every year,” says Patrice de Werra to the broadcaster.
He also calls for saving water. Because: “If the farmers have enough water available, we’ll have our potatoes, rösti and chips in the shop at the end.”
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