Potato Market Returns to Normal but Planting Progress Impacted by Weather

The potato market is back to normal following the serious disruption to logistics during Storm Emma.

There is evidence that high quality samples are becoming difficult to source so prices should continue to  firm on these lines and we should see demand increase for more general stock.

In Europe, the processing price index in both Holland and France is showing a marginal firmer trend with futures prices also closing slightly higher last week.

Planting progress throughout the country is at a standstill since before the snowfall. It is estimated there are only 80ha of earlies planted, and the establishment of these is in doubt, due to the subsequent cold weather and soil saturation.

Ex-Farm Potato Prices reported to IFA