Potatoes: 12/09/2017

Ex-farm potato prices reported to the IFA

Comment: More new-season main-crop is now arriving on the market. However, demand is increasing to match the supply. Farmgate prices are steady this week and with retailers returning similar margins to last year, it is not acceptable for merchants to introduce any further reductions. Reports would suggest that yields so far are very variable, but it is still too early to make any judgements on average yield. In the UK, prices have been under pressure as growers with contracts have being moving product, which is excess to store. With lifting well advanced, prices would appear to have settled and bottomed out at this stage. Yields are reported to be average or just above in most areas. However, there may be quality issues with product, which may manifest itself later on in store.