Supermarket shelves across Australia are missing a staple household item amid a nationwide potato shortage brought on by challenging seasonal conditions.

Extreme heat and severe frosts in key growing regions are to blame, industry insiders say, with concerns the shortage could contribute to a modest price rise at the supermarket counter.

In some cases, the average cost of a tonne of spuds has trippled in northern Australia as distributors seek to sure-up supplies.

Australia Seed Potato Industry Certificate Authority general manager and principal scientist, Nigel Crump, said the shortage of spuds was being felt in South Australia, Victoria, NSW and Queensland.

Dr Crump is also a director of Potatoes Australia Limited, the national body representing the spud supply chain.

"It's a pretty

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