Potato Stock on Par with Recent Years

The most recent IFA potato stock survey shows overall tonnage on a par with the 2016 and 2017 seasons.

While roosters and whites are similar to last season, the quantity of Kerr Pinks is reduced by 40% compared to this time last year.

With the 2018 season now extended by over 3 weeks due to delayed plantings,we should see a strong market for the remainder of the season.

Planting

After a poor week for planting, growers made some good progress over the bank holiday weekend. However, conditions still remain difficult, particularly in the south and south-east with many growers being forced to plant in less than ideal conditions.

On a cautionary note, growers would not want to confuse prospects for 2017 crop in store with the outlook for the potatoes currently being planted. Although cropping is being delayed both here and across the UK and Europe, there is no evidence of a major reduction in acreage and therefore growers would not want to increase their cropping area.

This all points to a strong market for potatoes for the remainder of this season. However with European and UK plantings expecting to increase farmers would not would to confuse prospects for the market in the short term with the long term outlook.

Ex-Farm Potato Prices reported to IFA