Potato Price Update 29th January

The market still remains sluggish, however, all producers are moving product and prices remain steady. Prices for peeling product has eased slightly as some UK stock has become available due to pressure to move stock from ambient stores.

Again, it should be stressed that growers should try and supply this market particularly with lesser grade product which reduces the potential for imports. The final analysis of 2018 production has been completed and it reveals an overall drop of 37% or 138,000 tonnes of potatoes compared to 2017. Within varieties there has been a reduction of 37% in Rooster and 47% in whites which represents 84,000 and 18,000 tonnes respectively. Over in the UK the market remains subdued, however with production down 700,000 tonnes and exports heading onto the continent the market remains stable. Planting progress is on schedule in Jersey but has halted in the South west due to wetter conditions. Meanwhile in the East some cultivation work has commenced with barley planted in places.

Ex-Farm Potato Prices reported to IFA