SHOPPERS are peeling the pinch of rocketing potato prices, with some doubling in the past year, analysis shows.
Experts found at least eight varieties have gone up by more than 50 per cent, with wholesalers blaming bad weather and ongoing shortages.
GettyEight varieties of potato have risen in price by more than 50 per cent[/caption]
Biggest risers were Aldi’s Specially Selected Jersey Royal New Potatoes, up 101 per cent from 79p to £1.59 for 500g.
Tesco’s Seasonal New Loose Potatoes leapt 73 per cent from £1.70 to £2.95 per kg.
Popular Maris Pipers rose by an average of 15.2 per cent, according to analysts Assosia in trade magazine The Grocer.
Of 121 varieties and sizes, 58 per cent were up by at least ten per cent.
Potatoes are traditionally cheap as they tend to be abundant.
But Tim O’Malley of wholesalers Nationwide Produce said the current prices were “the highest levels I’ve ever known”.
He added: “The red-hot summer and the deep freeze just before Christmas in particular reduced yields and, in the worst case, wiped out crops. We’re at the back end of the season and have run out of crop so we’re relying on expensive imports or robbing the new season early crop.”
Kris Comerford, Asda’s chief commercial officer, added: “The price of some has been trading at £600/ton. I remember when it was £100.
“That impacts not just potatoes but crisps, frozen chips, fishcakes, ready meals, toppings, all sorts of things.”
The amount we eat is also falling, by up to 5.9 per cent.
Mr O’Malley said: “We need to get people back on potatoes. The younger generation don’t like peeling spuds.”