Comment: With the announcement of the revised ‘living with COVID’ document during the week, it is likely that the processing market will remain suppressed until the summer months. Retail demand remains positive and supply continues to tighten for quality packing material.

Any hopes of planting in the southeast last week were dashed as the weather changed significantly, leaving ground conditions very poor across the country.

In the UK, demand is described as lacklustre, with the majority of movement on contract only.

Early plantings were also halted last week, as weather conditions deteriorated.

In Europe, prices in the fresh market sector remain stable and demand for export is still slow.

On the futures market, there has been trading in all forward positions this week and prices have moved higher.

The EU has declined a request for equivalence regarding the export of seed from the UK to Europe.

The decision has been challenged and an application for substantial equivalence is now being pursued.