Extremely wet conditions continue to delay this year's planting. Some very small amounts of earlies were planted in North Dublin last week, but rainfall has again halted this. Over the past week, it has been wetter than average in most areas, with rainfall amounts between 130% and 220% of average. The week ahead is forecast to be very unsettled, with heavy downpours which will lead to further delays. Current potato stocks continue to tighten and with the current weather forecast a gap in the market is very possible.
Across Europe, the situation is similar as planting is still delayed in many early areas and the weather forecast for the next week to ten days does not give much hope for any further progress. First early processing crops were planted in Germany last week. The main processors are mostly using contracts and bringing later contracts forward to maintain supplies.
For more information: ifa.ie