Major Potato Pest Eradicated As UK Industry Growth Opportunities Identified

Defra and APHA have declared the Colorado beetle, a serious threat to potato crops, eradicated following a two‑year surveillance and control campaign, as market research signals growth potential for UK potatoes in value-added and convenience formats.

Image: Defra © Crown Copyright

Following two years of intensive monitoring of outbreak and surrounding potato fields in Kent, there have been limited findings since the beetle was spotted in 2023, providing a boost for growers. 

The government said in a press release that this removes an immediate threat to UK potato crops and other solanaceous hosts such as tomatoes, aubergines and peppers, which the beetle can defoliate and severely damage. 

“This is great news for British farmers,” announced Farming Minister Angela Eagle. “We will continue to work with partners and stakeholders to maintain UK biosecurity and protect British crops from future threats.” 

Industry Growth Opportunities 

Image: GB Potatoes | L-R: Cedric Porter & Professor David Hughes

As an industry, the UK potato sector still has strong nutritional and market opportunities provided it adapts quickly to changing consumption patterns. 

So says food market expert Professor David Hughes, who spoke at a seminar organised by GB Potatoes at the British Potato Event in Harrogate. 

Despite the sector facing intensifying competition for “space on the plate” and in retail, Professor Hughes noted that annual UK per capita potato consumption is high at 70kg, with growth opportunities in value-added and convenience formats, such as products designed for air fryers.

Indeed, GB Potatoes says a new survey indicates potatoes will remain a stalwart ingredient on dinner plates this Christmas, while Waitrose announced last week that its sales of jacket potatoes have soared this year as consumers move away from Ultra Processed Foods (UPFs). 

Nonetheless, the UK is only about two‑thirds self‑sufficient in potatoes (63%), although it has the ideal conditions for growing the vegetable. 

“Despite the UK area being three-times that of the Netherlands and Belgium, much of the potatoes and chips we import are from those countries, with France also expanding its potato area rapidly,” Professor Hughes highlighted.

UK imports of frozen chips have reached a record level of over 850,000 tonnes, mainly from Belgium and the Netherlands, explained fellow speaker Cedric Porter, editor of World Potato Markets.

Overall, the seminar concluded that defending potatoes’ place in diets will become harder, but the crop has a strong “story to tell” if the industry leans into health messaging, innovation, and changing consumer needs.

Colorado Beetle: Ongoing Vigilance Needed

Meanwhile, continued reporting of suspected Colorado beetles remains essential to prevent future outbreaks, stress the authorities.

Suspect beetles in England and Wales should be captured and reported to APHA with a photo and location, with parallel contact points in Scotland and Northern Ireland, and identification support provided via Defra’s pest factsheet.

The eradication is attributed to the coordinated action between APHA, Defra, the potato industry, farmers, gardeners and allotment holders.

Any suspected sightings should be emailed to: planthealth.info@apha.gov.uk

Read Defra’s plant pest factsheet here.