The Jersey potato crop has been "hammered" by a week of sub-zero temperatures at the end of February and the damage caused is said to be very severe.
The earliest slopes were hit hard by frost and have been left very patchy, according to the Jersey Royal Company.
It said the earliest plantings from the start of January were all growing well until they were hammered by the Beast from the East at the end of February. The damage caused has been described as very severe.
Earlier this week, Jersey Royal teams uncovered the first few of these to make a full assessment of what will be available to dig.
The crops are patchy, and the yields will be dramatically reduced, the company said.
It explained that persistent rain has been evident since some time before Christmas. This is evident by large puddles at the top of another early slope that is yet to be uncovered.
There will be some potatoes to dig, but the Jersey Royal Company said is it unknown how much can be recovered.
Jersey Royals have been grown on Jersey for 140 years, and today there are approximately 20 island farmers who grow them, many of whom grow potatoes and no other crops.
The Jersey Royal season begins in November with planting under glass. The main outdoor crop is planted from January to April with harvesting from the end of March through to the July.
The peak of the season is May, when up to 1,500 tonnes of Royals can be exported daily.
However, the severe weather experienced in winter has dampened the usual schedule of the crop. Looking forward, the company said there are some better patches and the situation will improve as May progresses.
