North-West potato growers feeling pinch of wet weather and rising input costs

Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association vegetable council chairman Nathan Richardson, who farms at Thirlstane, said recent weather events had delayed planting for growers in the eastern states of Australia.

"Successive events impacting planting, growing and harvesting over several years has meant this shortage has been on the cards for over 12 months," Mr Richardson said.

"It takes that long to get through to the market and at least another 12 months to level out again.

"Unfortunately, potatoes are the first crop we are going to see a shortage in.

"We can nearly have similar discussions about other vegetables because rain affects everything."

Mr Richardson said the increased cost of inputs was also putting pressures on farmers.

"The agricultural industry has been dealing with massive costs to business for 10 to 15 years and getting little relief at the farm-gate," he said.

"The cost of tractors have gone up 40 per cent in three years, some machinery has nearly doubled in price in last five years.

"It costs a lot to grow potatoes - seed, fertiliser, machinery, fuel and crop protection are bulk of the costs and in some cases they have gone up 100 per cent in price."

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Sassafras farmer Scott Rockliff said the continuous rainfall was making the job "really hard".

"Normally by now, it would be warm but nothing likes to grow when its like this," he said.

"We mainly grow for Simplot and they are understanding and they are probably worried as they have contracts to fill with their suppliers.

"We are doing our best to get them into the ground but it's been hard work."

Mr Rockliff hoped to have all his planting done before the end of the month.

"If you are planting into December, it can mean you have to irrigate all season and then get a rain when we are finishing up in April," he said.

"We had over 200 millimetres of rain in October, which is normally the planting month for farmers from Cressy to Smithton.

"We are three weeks behind where we should be."