Potatoes: 09/10/2018

Ex-farm potato prices reported to the IFA

Comment: Potato growers are currently busy digging crops, with mainly early-sown crops being sold at retail level. According to reports from growers around the country, although yields are variable, the potatoes are of excellent quality. In the southeast of the country, early-sown potatoes, which were sprouted at planting, have produced average yields, while later-sown crops’ yields are significantly lower. Digging is reportedly progressing well in this area, with many growers having at least half of their crop lifted out of the ground. Meanwhile, in Donegal, there is a small percentage of potatoes dug so far, with most crops now burned off. Farmgate prices remain stable across all product lines. Over in Europe, the main concern among potato growers is not being able to fill contracted supply. Germany has estimated its potato production to be down by 3 million tonnes, with losses of 20% up to 50% depending on the farm and level of irrigation.

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IFA potato report: growers' attention turns to main-crop harvest

From the tramlines: field work progressing at an uneven pace