Weekly Potato Report

Home Market Prices: (Ex-farm) Week beginning 24/02/03

Plus a minimum of €25/t for 10kg bags

Early crop planting is progressing in the main growing areas and should gather pace over the next week or so. Also, harvesting of over wintered main crop has started again. It is estimated that there is less than 500 acres remaining. In the market movement is steady with good interest for Record. The level of usage from the prepared and processing sector will largely influence the remainder of the season. They are some signs of peelers switching more towards Rooster although there continues to be a significant price gap between here and GB for peeling samples

Early plantings are progressing well in GB. Many growers are currently attempting to clear stocks and this is putting the market under pressure. High wastage levels are also been reported for both average and better quality stocks.