Hokkaido harvest hit hard as potatoes shrink under heat

Hokkaido’s potato fields are busy with peak harvest, but farmers are worried about the impact of extreme summer heat. The northern prefecture is Japan’s top potato producer, with the Tokachi region alone accounting for about 30% of the national crop.

In Memuro town, one farmer grows the well-known Danshaku variety and potatoes used for chips. This year, he has noticed more small and misshapen potatoes, which he links to record-breaking heat waves.

“We’ve had unusually hot summers for three years in a row. I worry this may become the new normal,” comments the farmer. He hopes both for milder weather and the development of heat-resistant potato varieties.

Overall, his yields are down by 10–20% compared to a typical year, raising concerns about the future of Hokkaido’s potato supply.

source: nhk.or.jp

photo: biei-hokkaido.jp