Potato farmers in Rwanda are counting their losses, claiming that they are selling their produce at 'giveaway' prices, despite the cost remaining high on the market.

To deal with climate pressures, potato growers in Kenya are turning to contract farming to earn more money and get better seed.

The price of potatoes in South Africa is expected to increase in the next four weeks – and there is a chance of even more hikes in December.

In a sign of a maturing market, two potato processing companies in Kenya - Tropical Heat - a snack manufacturer - and Sereni Fries said they will sign contracts with growers to supply 600 tonnes of potatoes every month in order to assure their supply of potatoes suitable for processing.

In Rwanda a new potato processing plant was opened, with the capacity to produce four potato products; chips, french fries, whole peeled potato, and whole cleaned potatoes for sale to super markets and schools.

Drought and hot conditions since September 2015 have a negative impact on yields in almost all the potato production regions in South Africa. Currently market prices are at the highest levels ever, while potato stock levels are at record low levels.

In Rwanda, a new potato wholesale market in the capital Kigali and collection centres in areas where potatoes are grown are part of a plan to modernize the value supply chain for the potato crop.

The Algerian Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Abdelouahab Nouri, has announced a programme to tackle the problem of soaring potato prices, consisting in the adoption of a new marketing strategy to connect producers and consumers directly.

Rwanda potato farmers have decried the low farm-gate prices currently being offered by dealers.

Over the past two weeks, the price of potatoes in Algeria tripled from 40 to 120 dinars as snow coverage has affected crops and speculators have exploited the situation.