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Original poster

Jacket potatoes used to be way bigger?

112 replies

midnights92 · 15/12/2025 21:38

DH and I both convinced the baking potatoes you can buy these days are far smaller than years ago.

Has shrinkflation spread to agriculture or are we both greedy bastards?

YABU - potatoes aren't getting smaller, that's insane.
YANBU - the conspiracy is real.

OP posts:
user86397409754 · 16/12/2025 09:51

It’ll be because thats what fits the supermarkets packaging/shelf sizes etc.
There are mountains of carrots/spuds/root veg rejected as they're the wrong size. It’s the farmer that loses out as they have to suck it up if their produce doesn’t meet their contract specifications. And the size will be mostly determined by the weather and growing conditions which they have little control over. It’s a harsh business.
The varieties of fruit/veg available in the supermarkets is determined by its storage/travelling robustness, not its flavour sadly, and everything must be a ‘perfect’ shape!

Nourishinghandcream · 16/12/2025 09:40

Don't forget that this year was incredibly dry which had a major effect on the potato crop (and other foodstuffs).

MyThreeWords · 16/12/2025 09:23

YANBU. When jacket potatoes first started to be everywhere in the 1980s,even in dedicated jacket potato fast-food vans (in the wake of the "Carbs are the Superfood" fad), the average spud was the size of a rugby ball. And the skins were deliciously firm and chewy.

blobby10 · 16/12/2025 09:18

There used to be a correlation between the weather and size of potatoes but I do agree that 'baking' potatoes in the supermarkets have got smaller. However my local farm shop is selling loose potatoes right now that are enormous - far too big unless you are mashing them for a family of 6 and then only need to peel 3!

pforpig · 16/12/2025 09:13

IdaGlossop · 15/12/2025 22:08

The skin's the best bit! I've been poisoning myself for decades.

Show quote history

Yeah I pretty much bake them for the skin.

gerispringer · 16/12/2025 07:12

Don’t buy the ones in plastic bags- Aldi has loose ones which are huge. I can only manage half a one.

catmothertes1 · 16/12/2025 07:06

cobrakaieaglefang · 15/12/2025 21:45

Baking potatoes in my local Tesco are no bigger than the ordinary general purpose spuds.

Very true. We often just have 2 each of the bigger ones from the normal bag of potatoes rather than buying extra ones labelled "baking potatoes".

Daisymay8 · 16/12/2025 06:42

Possibly it costs more to leave potatoes in the ground to get big and farmers want them harvested and the field for next crop.

pintofpkss · 16/12/2025 06:25

I’ve noticed if you buy the 4 pack they are really small. I always go for the loose single ones now. Much bigger

InterestedDad37 · 16/12/2025 06:24

What say you to microwaved jacket spuds? 🥔
I rarely use my oven these days, since I got a smart meter ⚡💰💸

OverlyFragrant · 15/12/2025 23:35

The variety the supermarkets buy are the thin skinned ones as this is what consumers want apparently.
Not this consumer. I love a good crispy skin!

And yes, supermarkets do seem to be selling us potatoes that are on average smaller. I buy loose ones, and even then its a task finding ginormous ones.

Yesimmoaningaboutbenefits · 15/12/2025 23:31

I'm quite happy with smaller jackets and having to have 2. It means a better crispy skin : potato ratio.

BluePeterAdventWreath · 15/12/2025 23:29

Also about 24p each - pick your own, huge and about same price for 6 as a bag of their regular baking potatoes.

Ihateslugs · 15/12/2025 23:27

I often buy a pack of four baking potatoes but I decided to buy individual ones in my delivery order instead as Tesco did not have their Finest range in stock. Fine I thought and cheaper too so win win. But they came this afternoon and are enormous, big enough to feed the “Mumsnet make a chicken last a week” family for the week as well!

I reckon one will feed me and my daughter for our tea but the others won’t go to waste as she’s thinking of making a shepherds pie as well. She’s coming to stay for a few days as I’m having knee surgery tomorrow so I have planned a few meals she can cook.

Mind you, my surgery might be cancelled as apparently there is a problem with one of my pre op tests and I need to see a cardiologist first thing in the morning before they can agree to the surgery. I hope it’s just a mistake with the ecg as it’s taken me five years to get the courage to have the operation and I don’t want a delay now.

So I might need the extra large potatoes now!

IndigoIsMyFavouriteColour · 15/12/2025 23:21

I agree with you OP, they have definitely shrunk

InterestedDad37 · 15/12/2025 23:19

It's the canteen and cafe cartel - they get all the big ones, under threat of suppliers having their (potato) eyes poked out.

Happyapplesanspears · 15/12/2025 23:13

These are the largest and most consistently sized I’ve found
https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/waitrose-british-extra-large-potatoes/801778-691224-691225

Happyapplesanspears · 15/12/2025 23:10

The four packs are also really inconsistent in size, even if they aren’t huge I still want them roughly same size.

littleblackdress26 · 15/12/2025 23:08

Yes they're smaller but this was before inflation etc I now have to double up or I just buy them from the fruit n veg shops now proper big potatoes

MrsSkylerWhite · 15/12/2025 23:04

You’re right. Baked spuds used to fill a dinner plate. We moved to Scotland a few months ago and they’re still a proper size here. It’s not you.

ThatsNotHealthy · 15/12/2025 23:02

ThatsNotHealthy · 15/12/2025 22:58

The standard four packs used to be 1kg in the early 2000s. What weight are they now?

Just checked. Packs are around 700-800g now so each potato is roughly 175g compared to the 250g they were before!

ThatsNotHealthy · 15/12/2025 22:58

The standard four packs used to be 1kg in the early 2000s. What weight are they now?

ComfortFoodCafe · 15/12/2025 22:57

grow your own, easy peasy.

Evenstar · 15/12/2025 22:56

I have had loose ones labelled large on my shopping delivery from Tesco for the last couple of weeks. I don’t know what variety they are but they are tasty and the size I can remember from before.

Sneezecough · 15/12/2025 22:56

itsthetea · 15/12/2025 22:52

We used to make 12 buns
4oz flour, 4oz sugar, 4oz butter and 2 eggs

now it’s 8,5,5,3

our eyes have gotten bigger

I don’t know about buns but I’m measuring the potato in my hand which hasn’t changed size.