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Comment: As last week was the first full trading week of the year, we are now seeing a pickup in sales again.
All growers report good demand for product and with few potatoes now left in ambient store, there is no rush to sell.
Farmgate prices are holding very firm and as the season progresses it will be no surprise to see increases to cover cold store costs.
All potato growers will now be making plans for the forthcoming planting season.
As usual, the first thing which should be considered is the potential market environment and demand for your crop.
It is important to remember that planting area across the UK and EU was on the high side in 2018 and it was only the extreme drought conditions which resulted in the current reduced production.
It is likely we could see a similar or an increased area across Europe in 2019, which, with normal yields, would result in over-production.
Across the water, growers in the south of England are taking advantage of the dry weather to start early planting and have now made significant progress.
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