Spud glut an unfolding disaster for potato growers in Australia

Potato prices have slumped to new lows in recent weeks amid claims a glut of spuds from Far North Queensland is causing an oversupply.

Potato grower and representative on AUSVEG, David Nix, says the current crop is the largest in the history of potato growing on the Atherton Tableland.

But he says production has spiked right across the country and all growers are affected.

"Prices have just tumbled every week until it's down to a point where it's no point going any cheaper, you might as well just plough them in,"he said.

"And there are thousands of tonnes here, we've got a wave of potatoes in front of us that's not going to disappear.

"There'll still be potatoes here and there'll be growers with them in cold rooms, paddock stored potatoes, I can't see this glut disappearing this side of January."