Comment: As restaurants reopen this week, there is an air of optimism that the food service sector will begin to return to some form of new normal. Demand for early varieties continues as more Queens come on to the market. Reports from early growers suggest average yields, with some frost damage on the earliest crops.

In the UK, this week has seen free-buy trade in all sectors at low levels. As the end of the 2019 season approaches, contracts and material bought are being cleared up in preparation of new-crop supply. The trade for earlies is reported to be sluggish. There seems to be a reduction in demand for earlies on the free-buy market, with the lack of catering demand being felt.

Across Europe the impact of the lockdown is beginning to come to light. Processing activity in Holland in May is estimated to have reduced to 65% of capacity compared with the year before and in France it reduced to 52%.

The Dutch industry is estimated to have used 330,000t or 7.7% less raw material over the 12-month period to the end of May. The situation is improving now, although the long-term impact is likely to be felt for some time.