The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) is attributing the recent increase in retail potato prices to meetings the organization has held with the Irish multiples. IFA Potato Committee chair, Sean Ryan, commented: “LIDL and ALDI are the only retailers yet to come on board. Right now, 7.5kg packs of Rooster are selling for around €8 in most shops. The reality is that Irish potato growers are totally dependent on the retailers delivering a realistic farmgate price.”
Ryan claims that potatoes have never represented better value for money. Also, he dispelled rumors that there could be a scarcity of Irish potatoes in the run-up to Christmas: “There’s little doubt that Irish potato supplies will come under pressure towards the end of the season, but there are enough supplies now in store to keep the Irish sector supplied through until the March/April period of next year.”
Meanwhile, growers are confirming that 10% of the 2023 potato crop remains in the ground.
Source: agriland.ie