Potato Harvest Back but Production Levels Likely to Match 2016

More progress was made on the potato harvest this week, however, as the month progresses it is increasingly likely that up to 5% of the potato crop will carry over into the New Year.

It is understandable that grower confidence has waned in the current market environment however, in the medium term, market fundamentals deserve closer examination.

Planted area is similar to last year and not all growers have experienced an increase in yield.Pest and disease damage, along with crops left in the ground, will also contribute to yield losses.

Although the price for peeling is unsatisfactory this sector is now all supplied with Irish product which will be of major benefit to the market. In short, when the dust finally settles on harvest 2017 we may ultimately end up with similar production levels to 2016.

Ex-Farm Potato Prices reported to IFA