The chips are down in Belgium as heatwave hits supply of frites

Reduced yields are putting national dish and 'symbol of Belgium' under threat

Food vendors in Belgium are praying for rain as the hot weather threatens the supply of the country's national dish, frites.

The Europe-wide heatwave has shrunk Belgium's early crop of potatoes by about one-third compared with an average year. Without significant rainfall over the next few weeks, the key September and October harvests could be smaller still.