A poor potato harvest Europe this summer could mean French fries are to three centimeters shorter than usual. The poor harvest is because the very hot summer Europe had. There were record hot temperatures many countries. The heatwave caused a lack rain, which meant farmers produced a lot fewer potatoes than they normally do. Pierre Lebrun, a spokesman a potato growers’ association Belgium, said farmers grew 25 per cent fewer potatoes than normal. The effect this is that potato prices are and the average size of potatoes is smaller. Mr Lebrun said: "Because the potatoes are smaller the moment, we will all be eating smaller chips."
Belgium is one country where the potato shortage is a big talking point. Fries are the national dish Belgium. The country has 5,000 eateries specializing fries. Belgians love their fries so much that there is a campaign to rename them "Belgian fries" instead "French fries" because Belgians say the fry was invented their country. Belgium is one of the largest exporters frozen fries in the world. It exports around 2.3 million tons them every year. Mr Lebron explained why fries would be shorter. He said: "Generally, to have long fries, we work potatoes with a diameter more than 50mm. Then you get fries 8 to 9 cm. This time, as the potatoes are smaller, the fries will be shorter."
