Unprecedented rises of all input costs seem to inevitably impact the price of potatoes in the shops throughout Ireland. Some industry representatives are predicting a 30% rise in costs over the coming months.
According to the management team at Wilson’s Country, there’s no sign of any easing with these costs and it’s very probable that these costs will be sustained throughout 2022. Wilson’s Country agronomist, Stuart Meredith, explained that fertilizer prices have more than doubled over the past 12 months: “Fertilizer prices are currently over double the price compared to the same period last year with no sign of prices easing before planting."
"Supply and demand may actually become an issue through March and April, which may drive further price rises. As many potato growers rely heavily on annual rental agreements, buying up stocks of fertilizer last autumn wasn’t an option for them as much of the land wasn’t secured at that stage.”
Taking all of these factors into account, the members of the management team at Wilson’s Country believe that the overall cost of producing, packing and distributing potatoes is estimated to increase by upwards of 30% over the coming months.
Source: agriland.ie
