UK potato stocks keep pace with 2015/16 season
Amber Cottingham, Analyst at AHDB Potatoes said: “2015/16 saw some very high prices paid towards the end of the season, as it became apparent that planting would be late and harvest was likely to follow suit, which extended the 2015/16 storage season. Conditions for ambient storage were also reportedly very poor, due to the mild winter, which meant many stocks had to be sold off earlier than anticipated to prevent loss from quality issues.”
Planting progress is well ahead of last year. Nonetheless, growing conditions and ultimately the weather will determine whether harvest follows suit.
Amber Cottingham said: “If the weather is beneficial to crop growth, then there is a possibility of a normal, or even an early harvest. When added to the prospect of an area increase this year, as we suggested in early May, prices for stocks currently in storage could be subdued later in the season.”
AHDB’s potato stock estimates are based on survey data that covers growers’ stocks only and does not include stocks held by purchasers.
The 2016/17 season has followed a slightly unusual profile, with a relative slowing in drawdown from growers stocks between the end of November and January caused by high ex-farm prices discouraging purchases. The rate of drawdown returned to typical levels from January to March of this year.
Amber Cottingham said: “The weather over the next few weeks and into the growing season will be crucial to determine the coming harvest and what this means for industry. All of these factors will be reported in AHDB’s Potato Weekly as soon as new information becomes available.”
For more information:
Jimmy Phillips
AHDB Potatoes
Tel: +44 024 7647 8933
Jimmy.Phillips@ahdb.org.uk
press.office@ahdb.org.uk
potatoes.ahdb.org.uk