Home consumption and retail demand continues to improve and is reported to be similar to levels this time last year. Colder weather conditions and the return of family routines have certainly led to this turn in consumption habits. Lifting conditions are ideal this week following rainfall last week. Crops are coming fit much earlier than last year as expected.
In the U.K, heavy rain has restricted lifting in the west last week. Further east, the rain has improved lifting conditions but in the South East irrigation before lifting is still required. Loading into store has just started in Scotland. High dry matter in all areas is having a significant influence on trade. Demand for chipping varieties has been very flat with downward price pressure.
Across Europe, lifting is generally more advanced for the fresh market than for processing but free buy sales are not easy.
