Home demand and consumption is picking up steadily as colder weather kicks in. Smaller pack sizes continue to dominate sales. Harvest is well underway across the country and conditions are very good at present. Yields are reported to be highly variable depending on individual fields. Growers are increasingly aware of the cost of production in the midst of harvest.
Across Europe, lifting is progressing well in Holland but in parts of Belgium and Northern France soils are very dry again and tuber damage is slowing down progress. Conditions are particularly difficult in the areas which had heavy rain at the end of August, slumped and since have dried out again
In Scotland, demand for seed is reported to be surprisingly quiet. Growers are now waiting for contracts to be announced before making any firm commitments.
