The UK potato harvest is progressing, but growers are under pressure to move stock as storage capacity becomes a pressing issue. Market sources indicate expectations of high yields for the 2025/26 season, adding to oversupply concerns already noted in both the UK and the EU.
Regional variation is becoming more evident in terms of harvested volumes and crop quality. According to market participants, sentiment differs between growers depending on local conditions. Crop quality remains under scrutiny, with reports of rejected orders where stock falls below specification. Sources have also pointed to potential quality concerns with Maris Piper varieties as the season develops.
Storage challenges are contributing to the urgency in stock movement. Growers report difficulties with box availability, leading to price adjustments. Expana Benchmark Prices (EBPs) for UK packing potatoes fell on October 7, with English white potatoes down 10% week-on-week, reaching £140 per metric ton (about US$178/mt).
Uncertainty remains around final production figures. At the same time, the EU has recorded an expansion in planted area for this season. In Germany, forecasts indicate the largest potato crop in 25 years. The North-Western European Potato Growers Association (NEPG) stated that the market will need to re-establish a balance between supply and demand and that adjustments will be necessary for the coming season.
Source: Mintec/Expana
