Home consumption of potatoes remains firm. The food service sector should see an increase in demand in the coming weeks with some key diary dates approaching. There is continued demand for pre-pack material as quality issues are presenting in stores. Some slightly drier weather this week should allow some field work to take place. Only very small amounts of earlies have been planted to date.
Across Europe, physical free-buy markets in the processing sector are desperately quiet, while the main focus of the factories is to clear contracts. “Nominal” prices are being quoted but very little trade is taking place. Growers are being left with the choice of whether to spend more money gassing stores to prevent germination or whether to abandon the crop.
