Britain's love affair with fresh potatoes may have had its chips, according to new research.

The Times is reporting today that an annual report for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) suggests that British households are buying 20 per cent fewer fresh potatoes than they did 10 years ago.

Potatoes appear to remain a staple ingredient of the British diet, however.

On average, Britons still eat about 100kg, or more than 15st, of potatoes every year, driven by demand for crisps and chips.

According to The Times, the Food Report for DEFRA states: "About four-fifths of the purchases of processed potatoes were chips and crisps and these have been relatively stable over the last 10 years.

"The reduction in recent years is driven by a decline in purchases of fresh potatoes."

The Times also said the report suggests that British consumers were purchasing less meat, milk and bread, demand for ready meals and butter had gone up, and more fruit and vegetables were being grown on allotments.

Do you prefer potatoes or chips Email mark@moosemarketingandpr.co.uk 

Picture credit: pixabay

Readers' comments:

Joan Toon: I prefer fresh ones, baby ones roasted or boiled, big ones for jacket potatoes, I make my own chips and try and do mashed ones with cheese and garlic, or processed as a quick answer when time is running out.