Potato growers have now turned their attention to analysing their year and stocks from the 2018 harvest. Growers have reported to be happy with trade and are expecting a further boost in trade as buyers are filling their supplies for the Christmas market.
Price is holding stable with the tonne box of rooster currently trading for €510. With all potatoes harvested in the country, growers can now fully see the effects of the reduced yields after the difficult year with excess empty boxes in the yard in comparison to other years.
In Donegal, growers have reporting to be happy with 2018 with good yields while yield is back significantly in other parts of the country. Storage issues such as Soft rot is being noted as a problem currently while a high level of wastage in Kerr Pinks in the South is also a result of the difficult year.
IFA National Potato Committee Chairman Thomas McKeown stated that with all potatoes being harvested and supply at its peak, growers should be patient as the market needs to be supplied for another 8-9 months at least. Meanwhile in the UK, the bag market is anticipating an increase in trade, the free-buy packing market is reportedly beginning to wind down.
Ex-Farm Potato Prices reported to IFA
| Low | High | Average | |
| Rooster box (New season) | €500 | €520 | €510 |
| Rooster 10kg bags (New Season) | €5.75 | €6.25 | €6.00 |
| Whites box (New season) | €500 | €550 | €525 |
| Kerr Pinks 10kg (New season) | €6.25 | €6.75 | €6.50 |
| Golden Wonder box (New Season) | €680 | €720 | €700 |
