Consumption, both in retail and the food service sector, remains unchanged. Any planting progress that was made on early ground has again been halted due to ground conditions, with more wet weather forecast. Peaking fertiliser and energy prices are creating significant uncertainty for growers when deciding whether to plant potatoes this season. While production costs have been rising year on year, this latest surge in input prices is making planning particularly difficult.
Across Europe, clearing contracts is the main priority for factory buyers and there is little demand for free-buy except for small quantities. Some growers are still hopeful for movement and continue to apply sprout suppressants but for the majority, the main challenge will be clearing stores for the least cost. Growers are now having to pay to clear stores for stockfeed. Oversupply is having a stronger impact on the fresh sector where prices for whites are under pressure.
