Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made a recent assessment of prices paid to potato growers by (a) supermarkets and (b) manufacturers of processed potato foods.

We are very aware of the recent turbulence in the potato market caused by a combination of factors including the weather and increase in input costs following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. We are closely monitoring the market situation.

On 14th December we published a new review into fairness in the fresh produce supply chain. This will explore the relationships between horticulture producers, including those who grow potatoes, and the companies they do business with. The consultation closes in February, and we will analyse the responses then publish a formal response providing a summary of the findings and setting out next steps.