Potatoes: 12/12/2017

Ex-farm potato prices reported to the IFA

Comment: The seasonal Christmas demand and freezing temperatures have seen a significant increase in potato orders this week. Most of the contracted product has now been cleared and this has now opened up opportunities in the free-buy market. As has been the case in recent years, growers with better-quality potatoes are getting precedence over poorer lines. Across the UK and Europe, there appears to be a dearth of good-quality potatoes and the situation is similar here. Farmers need to be aware that quality lines will command a premium as the season progresses. Farmgate prices of salad potatoes are holding firm, with Irish produce holding its own against imports. The market for quality Kerrs Pink is also firm and has been helped by the 10% reduction in planting area compared with last year.