Weekly Potato Report

Week beginning 27/09/04

Home Market Prices: (Ex-farm)

Prices quoted above are direct to packer/merchants in bags (10kgs) or boxes.

Slight improvement in trade noticed as weather gets cooler. However, price pressure remains due to current supply. Lifting is well under way in many regions due to recent dry weather. Burning of crops is also increasing across the country. Early indications are that plantings have not increased on last year. More accurate figures are due shortly. Reports vary on the yields but conclusive figures are expected soon. Most growers are reporting good quality in their crops.

GB MARKET PRICES

Following rain last weekend in Western and Northern regions, harvesting is gaining pace as soils dry out. Total clearance is estimated to have reached 52,000 ha (40%) of total. This compares with 59,000 ha this time last year. Yield, quality, tuber size and dry matters are showing a wider variation this season. In Scotland, soils have dried up and lifting has increased as some specialist ware growers begin to harvest.