The continuation of the inclement weather has ensured demand has remained robust. Planting has come to a complete halt as soils have become saturated. Between indoor and outdoor early crops, there is a significant area now planted, with the first of the outdoor crop now fully emerged.
Based on last year’s consumption figures for earlies and at normal yield levels, it could be argued that there is now enough planted to meet the potential demand of the market. In mainland Europe, planting of the early processing crop is well advanced for the time of year. Physical prices continue to hold firm and very similar to last week. European processing April 2019 has been edging higher again over the past week to trade at €312/t with a contract high of €333/t.
In France, the export market is reported to be good, with demand for whites from Eastern Europe and Germany and also for red varieties for Hungary Romania and Portugal.
Ex-Farm Potato Prices reported to IFA
| Low | High | Average | |
| Rooster box | €500 | €520 | €510 |
| Rooster 10kg bag | €5.75 | €6.25 | €6.00 |
| Whites box | €500 | €550 | €525 |
| Kerr Pinks 10kg bag | €6.25 | €6.75 | €6.50 |
| Golden Wonder box | €680 | €720 | €700 |
