Potatoes: 19/09/2017

Ex-farm potato prices reported to the IFA

Comment: Demand remains strong, although wet conditions have been interrupting supply in certain areas, particularly in the northwest. Growers are beginning to lift for store at this stage, which will ease pressure in the free-buy market. The IFA annual variety and area survey is now completed and it shows similar results to the earlier figures released by the DAFM, which indicate no increase for potato plantings this year. The varieties which have had relative substantial area increases are the fresh chip and salad varieties, while Kerrs Pinks have had a substantial reduction of 9%. Producers are beginning to send Rooster to the peeling market and returns have been helped by the 5% increase in the value of sterling over the past week. The fact that certain customers are demanding yellow flesh varieties, and Rooster in particular, is also helping the market.