Comment: Drier weather this week is welcomed by areas where harvesting conditions are problematic, particularly Donegal. This dry period will hopefully aid the digging of the main Rooster crop. National Potato Day takes place on 4 October this year. National Potato Day encourages consumers to purchase Irish potatoes and growers are encouraged to support any events taking place.

An initial estimation by NPEG, which represents the five largest potato-producing countries in northern Europe, indicates that total production is 3% higher than the running average and 12% higher than last year at around 27Mt to 27.5Mt. Average yield estimations appear to be lower than the five-year average, but higher than last year’s drought-hit figures.

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In the UK, there are expectations that the market will tighten as stocks are lifted into stores. Later in the season, export demand is likely to develop from eastern Europe, where drought and heavy rain has potentially restricted production.