Retail trade continues to prosper and there is very little change in the peeling market. Most growers are now finished harvesting, with the exception of Donegal and some other areas. Yield dig 2020 figures indicate that Rooster and Kerr Pinks are down -21% and -19.5% respectfully, compared with last years figures.
The English lockdown seems to have had a limited effect on the free-buy market. Packing demand is leading the way, with chipping seasonally quiet and processing continuing to see trade covered primarily by contracts. Some quality issues are being reported due to bruising, wet rots and also wireworm and slug damage.
The situation remains largely unchanged across Europe. In the processing sector, contracts are being taken in and a very small quantity of excess to contract but there is downward pressure on pricing. Good movement for cattle feed, digesters and flake production continues. Under the cloud of Covid, processing factories which supply fresh catering outlets have slowed but those producing frozen product are keeping going while they have storage available.
Source: IFA.ie