Potatoes: 13/10/2020

Ex-farm potato prices reported to the IFA

Low High Average

Rooster box €320 €380 €350

Rooster 10 kg €3.50 €4.00 €3.80

Whites Box €300 €350 €320

Kerr Pinks €4.50 €5.50 €5.00

Comment

Consumption and retail demand remains strong as we approach week four of lockdown measures, although the processing trade remains subdued. Many growers are now finished their harvest, with the exception of growers in Donegal, who still have a lot to dig. Nationally, harvest progress is estimated at around 80% at present. It is now confirmed that yields are between 15% to 20% below average.

In the UK, cautious buyers and lacklustre demand have resulted in little free-buy price movement from last week. Movement through the main retailers is reported to be up by 20% since the beginning of the UK lockdown, but other trade has been diminished.

In Europe, there are isolated areas where 25% to 30% of the crop remains to be harvested. However, settled weather should now give the opportunity for most of the crop to be harvested. High levels of damage are being recorded on many later-lifted crops and particularly on the varieties Challenger and Fontane. Dry matter levels are high in these varieties. There have been a number of cases of rejections by processors.