Markets remain stable in terms of consumption and retail sales. With the cost of living crisis, consumers are buying smaller pack sizes at higher frequency. There is good demand for new season crop as they come available. Yields are reported to be variable around the country. The cost of production continues to dominate grower discussions, especially the cost of diesel as harvest is underway. The market is strong for any remaining potatoes destined for the peeling market.
Across Europe, supplies are tight due to the lower yields but lifting is also restricted again because soils are becoming dry and irrigation pre lifting is now required. Lifting for storage is increasing but burn down is only just being completed where growers have delayed for extra yield. Recent test digs show some yield improvement but in most cases crop senescence was already too advanced when the rain arrived. Recent rainfall in Scotland and part of the UK have improved liftings conditions.
