Retail demand and home consumption is strong as consumers are realising the value of potatoes as a main staple in the current cost of living scenario. Growers continue to attempt to harvest in areas, however, conditions are extremely difficult. Good progress has been made in Donegal where less rainfall has been experienced. Potatoes dug into stores are very tight and market prices are responding accordingly. Peeling potatoes are reported in the region of €500/tonne.
Lifting progress on the continent has been described as ‘minimal’ again this week and there is still plenty left in the ground. Ex farm prices have at last started to improve but mainly for processing. In Scotland, lifting was possible most days last week and a lot of the larger growers are well through crops. Further South, progress has been extremely limited although there has been more action in the Midlands and Yorkshire. An increasing number of stores with signs of breakdown are being emptied for peeling and French fry processing as growers attempt to stem losses.
Source: www.ifa.ie