In the run up to Christmas, free-buy trade is said to be lacking the festive boost, with demand met mostly on contract so far. For some areas in lower tiers, free-buy demand has reportedly picked up for pubs and restaurants back open. Anecdotal reports of storage issues emerged this week, posing further concern for potatoes lifted wet quite early on.
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Packing
Free-buy trade for packing is described as ‘stop/start’ this week, with demand fulfilled primarily on contract. Retailers seem to be preparing for Christmas demand next week. However, uncertainty still surrounds what consumer demand will look like this year for a Christmas in ‘social bubbles’.
England
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Scotland
Bags
Free-buy demand remains slow this week, despite moving towards Christmas. For some areas experiencing reduced restrictions in tier 1 and 2, there has been some pickup in free-buy demand, but still lacking from last year.
East
West
South
Processing
Despite the foodservice sector still being reasonably quiet, some reports of peeling and prepping trade have been up this week.
Nonetheless in comparison to previous year’s at Christmas time, free-buy demand falls short and a high proportion of requirement is being fulfilled on contract.
Exports
With the end of the transitionary EU exit period nearly upon us, exports have reportedly ramped up in preparation for reduced access to markets come 1 January 2021. Reports detail exports heading to Ireland, Belgium, and the Canary Islands this week. Supplies of King Edwards are anecdotally said to be tightening this week, but due to insufficient quotes, we are unable to publish a King Edward’s price.
