Potatoes in short supply as big freeze hits crops Customers have also been told to expect higher prices on carrots, peas and tomatoes, because much of the planned crop was not planted or is being stunted by the lack of light. Vegetables such as broccoli and peas, and bulbs such as onions are expected to go up by at least 15p a lb, say experts, while seasonal British fruit will be at least 6 per cent dearer than last year. Farmers have warned that British carrots will be smaller and less juicy this year than in previous ones because of ­waterlogged ground. For the first time in a decade, Britain is to become a net importer of wheat after 12 months of poor harvests. A forecast for the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board suggests that 1.5 million tons more wheat will be imported this year than is exported, because of a combination of last year's poor yields and poor planting conditions. Graeme Beattie, the managing director of Branston Potatoes - Tesco's main supplier - is importing from France. "Customers are likely to notice the hike but unfortunately it has become unavoidable," he said. It doesn't look like the price is going to come down, either. Nothing grows in these temperatures - it's the beginning of April and I cannot see a single leaf, which is incredibly rare. We were hoping to be able to catch up from the terrible season just gone, but with the snow and rain we're having to delay planting for two weeks. Customers are likely to find more French potato varieties, such as the Belle de Fontenay, in supermarkets as varieties such as Maris Piper fail to grow. Any Jersey Royals on sale now were likely to have been grown indoors. Some of Britain's largest supermarkets have warned that customers can expect higher prices on everything from carrots to asparagus. Mark Price, the managing director of Waitrose, predicted the effects of the poor crops will be felt for two years. March saw the largest month-on-month rise in the price of fresh food for three years, according to the British Retail Consortium. A spokesman for Waitrose said it was supporting growers by selling cosmetically imperfect fruit and veg.