The potato harvest in Scotland was very straightforward this year, according to Robert Doig at Caledonian Potatoes. "Unlike some other growers, we cut back on the acres planted."
"The seed export market is frankly a bit of a mess at the moment. Egypt is difficult, as import licences were not given in time, and they changed the specifications on the bags when most people already had the bags prepared. Growers grew more seed potatoes, and Egypt took less. This led to massive uncertainty, which weakened the market, driving prices down; some growers have been left selling seed potatoes at half price or less."
UK growers also collectively grew more ware potatoes this year, as the prices were good last year, which has caused overproduction and a weak market. "Anything that is not contracted is very cheap. That said, most UK potatoes are grown on contract; it is only a very small amount that goes to the open market. The market has been strong for a couple of years, and people will always plant more if they think the return is there. The risk is that growers make big losses and some don't make it through, some plant less the next year.
"This kind of knee-jerk reaction causes the market to be like a rollercoaster, while most growers would prefer just a smooth market. This is not helped by the lack of data available on what has been planted; people are having to make individual decisions that affect the whole industry. A large part, though, is just down to human nature; people will always follow the money."
For more information:
Robert Doig
Caledonian Potatoes
Tel: +44 1738 446 723
[email protected]
www.caledoniapotatoes.com
