Home consumption and retail demand are stable as expected for this time of the year. As potatoes for the peeling market continue to tighten, the market is following accordingly. There is huge demand for main season crop and the market is strong. There is still uncertainty around how much crops will bulk up after the prolonged drought. Harvest challenges could be a major concern if there is a wet back end of the year.
In Europe, it is estimated that the harvest in the North-Western European Potato Grower (NEPG) will be closer to 19.5/20.5 mt’s compared to 27.3mt’s last year. Exporters are looking for supplies for Mediterranean countries but growers are holding out for higher prices before grading, too high for Eastern European buyers.
In Cyprus there was an excess of stocks in early Summer, however, supplies of Spring crop Spunta are now much reduced and are unlikely to keep going until the start of the Winter crop in early December.
