Potatoes: 20/03/2018

Ex-farm potato prices reported to the IFA

Comment: There are some positive indications that the supply in the potato market is beginning to tighten. We have seen demand improving for varieties such as Kerr Pink, Maris Piper and Golden Wonder. However, enquiries for Rooster have also increased during this week. Those growers with material in ambient stores are either finished or will shortly be clear of stock. This is providing new selling opportunities for some suppliers as gaps appear in the market. The return of the wintry weather over the weekend put paid to any further plantings. However, there may be some windows to resume land work in the coming week. In general, spring is running late for plantings due to saturated soils and low soil temperatures. On average, there is a difference of 2°C in the soil temperature compared with this time last year.