Potatoes: 05/09/2017

Ex-farm potato prices reported to the IFA

Low High Average

Rooster Box (new season) €320 €380 €350

Rooster 10kg (new season) €4.00 €5.00 €4.50

Whites (new season) €250 €300 €275

Kerr Pink 10kg (new season) €4.50 €5.50 €5.00

Queens 10kg €3.00 €4.00 €3.50

Comment: Demand for new-season main-crop has been strong since the start of the month. There is very little old-season still in retail at the moment and any small amounts in stores are ending up in the peeling sector.

The start of the main-crop season has begun in a similar vein to last year. This is no surprise considering production levels are on a par with 2016. The white potato market would be under slightly more pressure due to the cheaper imports from the UK. However, this may change once growers over there start digging into store.

It looks like good washing product may be in short supply this year. Therefore, it will command a premium. Growers with material which may have skin finish issues should be placing these in the peeling sector in order to displace imports.