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Potatoes: 16/04/2019
Ex-farm potato prices reported to the IFA
Low High Average
Rooster box €500 €520 €510
Rooster 10kg bag €5.75 €6.25 €6.00
Whites box €500 €550 €525
Kerr Pinks 10kg bag €6.00 €6.50 €6.25
Golden Wonder box €680 €720 €700
Comment: The cooler weather over the past week has maintained higher potato consumption levels. Irish glasshouse potatoes have made their appearance on the market for the first time this year. There is still a little pressure in the wholesale and peeling markets from ambient store material. On the positive side, some growers in the border area have reported increased orders from the north as ambient stock dries up. Farmers with material in store need to be aware of crop progress in the UK, as this could have a negative effect on the peeling market in the June/July period if there is an early harvest. However, in the main retail markets this will not be an issue, as quality samples are now proving difficult to source, particularly good washing quality whites. There has been very little planting progress over the past two weeks, apart from on drier land, but there is no panic, as this is normal for the time of year. In the UK, weather has been more conducive to planting, especially along the east coast where planted area is now ahead of the long-term average.
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