Home consumption is starting to improve and with a change in weather conditions and the full re-opening of schools from next week, demand should increase especially at retail level. Early Rooster stock is slowing coming on steam. Maincrops are doing well and it is expected they will be 2/3 weeks earlier than last year. The peeling market is oversupplied, which is putting downward pressure on price.
Across Europe, market conditions remain poor. There is no demand for free-buy of early crop including excess to contract and growers are disposing of their surplus either for stockfeed or biogas. The maincrop is coming on and early burn down is taking place to avoid oversize, as well as potential problems such as growth cracks and Hollow Heart.
Demand for export is described as ‘tentative’ and buyers from Eastern Europe are showing interest but are very conscious that the physical market is very weak and are “always looking for the cheapest quote”.
