Drought threatens Jersey Royal potato crop

A DROUGHT is threatening to significantly cut the much- anticipated Jersey Royal potato crop.

The worst drought on the Channel island in 34 years could cut the first yield by 50 per cent, with forecasters not predicting rain for another two weeks, the Jersey Royal Company said. Jersey has not had significant rainfall since April 3. Just 2mm fell last weekend when much of the UK received downpours.

The Jersey Royal Company technical director Mike Renourd said: "It's looking like the first half of the crop will have a significant yield reduction."

He said representatives of all the major supermarkets had visited in the past few days to assess the impact on supply.