Potato market : week commencing 23/04/07

10 kg. bags (brushed):

K Pink: €430 -€470

Rooster: €400-€450

Record: €400-€440

Golden Wonder: €650-€700

Washing Quality Rooster as high as €480 per tonne box

No change in price since last week and market is steady.

Planting is still progressing very well with the fine weather and is ahead on previous years. Biggest demand is for Rooster. The Department of Agriculture has confirmed to IFA that it is in discussions with the EU Commission to find a solution that will allow potato ground to be included in 2007 SP applications. The Department's proposal would allow potato growers to consolidate / 'stack' but the area of ground under potatoes would not be included for payment in 2007. These entitlements (potato area) would not be lost and can be activated in 2008.