Frost Reduces South African Harvest

Frost destroyed up to 40 percent of the potatoes set for harvest in September in an area of South Africa about 65 miles north of Polokwane in Limpopo.

Bo-Brak Farmers Union chairman Japie Groot said the damage was severe. "Some farmers have lost a whole 20-hectare (49-acre) centre pivot field of potatoes," he said.

The Farmers' Weekly magazine said some farmers were experiencing crop damage to the value of 100,000 rand (US$14,755). The frost will likely cause a shortage of potatoes in September.