Overall free-buy trade has increased compared to previous weeks, but is far from busy for the time of year. There has been some increased movement of chipping material in the bag market, although this is still at relatively small volumes.
Nationwide, sunshine has allowed many growers to close in on the end of planting and others to continue at pace. Some growers have started irrigating, especially those in the East.
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Packing
Packing trade is being described as “about normal” or some are seeing a slight uplift but nothing like what was seen at the end of March. Best quality packing material is still holding firm. However, frying material moving through the packing market is causing a wide spread in prices.
Bags
There are reports that more fish and chip shops have opened their doors to the public again. Although movement is still at relatively low volumes, it could give some hope to the market sector that chipping material will move. Some are currently working through previously purchased material but there is hope that there may be a slight pickup once this is used.
Processing
Although demand is low in the processing sector, due to the ongoing loss of foodservice, there has been increased movement of free-buy peeling material reported this week.
Export
Exports to the Canary Islands have come to an end. This is much later in the season compared to normal due to poor availability of local crops. Exports into Ireland are slowly picking up again, but at relatively low volumes.