Demand remains buoyant as more new-season crop comes onto supermarket shelves. Once again, harvesting conditions remain very difficult. There are significant delays as soft areas are prominent even in traditionally drier fields. The liftings of the remaining Queen crops are much slower in some parts of the country because of this. Lifting of new season Kerr Pinks has commenced this week and prices reported from growers are in the region of €6.50 in 10kg bags.
In the U.K. better weather this week has allowed growers to continue to lift, and many have reported they’ll start burning crops off in the coming weeks in preparation for lifting. There is also a slight increase in demand across all sectors as schools return.
In France, Belgium and Holland, yields are predicted to be average but crops are senescing quickly. Tuber count is lower than average and Dry Matter high to very high. Demand from processors in Northern Europe and Germany could also be 1 million tonnes lower than last year – due to the pandemic.
Ex-Farm Potato Prices reported to IFA
Low | High | Average | |
Rooster box (New Season) | €400 | €450 | €425 |
Rooster 10 kg (New Season) | €5.00 | €6.00 | €5.50 |
New Season Queen 10kg bag | €5 | €7 | €6 |
New Season Kerr Pinks | €6 | €7 | €6.50 |