Potatoes: 08/08/2017

Ex-farm potato prices reported to the IFA

Comment: There has been little change in the farmgate prices of new-season potatoes over the past week, as supply and demand has become more balanced. The recent cooler weather has increased potato sales in general, with clearance of Queens now 20% to 30% ahead of this time last year. Many growers are confident that they will have all their crop moved by the end of August. Therefore, it makes no sense for growers to drop prices any lower trying to force sales. As old-season Rooster finishes up, some growers are digging new-season crop and it is expected that all retailers will gradually change over in the coming weeks. Due to the variable sowing conditions in the spring, there was no extra early Rooster planted and with no overhang of old-season crop, there should be a positive market for this early crop.