Due to changed weather conditions and a surge in demand for chips, AUSVEG, the peak industry body for Australian vegetable and potato industries has warned that Aussies may have to forgo their favourite summer staple this year, with a hot chip shortage expected to hit nation-wide.
AUSVEG said the ongoing wet weather in key processing potato growing regions, particularly in Tasmania, had impacted growers' planting windows and caused delays in planting and in getting farm machinery on-farm for paddock preparation.
On top of this, growers in the region are facing significant increases in the costs of production for critical farm inputs, including fertiliser, energy, fuel, labour and chemicals.
While AUSVEG said it was unclear how long this tightened supply may last, it should only be in the short-term.
