Potatoes: 06/11/2018

Ex-farm potato prices reported to the IFA

Comment: The high levels of rainfall which have fallen in the past week have made ground conditions more challenging for digging crops of potatoes and many growers have had to stop digging this week. The mild temperatures and excellent ground conditions over the past few weeks allowed growers to harvest their crops with ease. The majority of digging has been completed in the southeast and southern areas of the country, while digging continues to progress in the northeast. According to reports from growers around the country, it is estimated that 60% of the potato harvest has been completed in the northeast and Donegal, 75% in the south and up to 90% completed in the southeast. Stocks of Queens are now gone and old crop has left the market. Growers are happy with the trade for Queens this year and the stable price received over the past few months. Prices remain stable nationwide, with very little change reported from growers. Meanwhile, in the UK, the total area planted in potatoes this year is down by 4.4% on last year’s plantings. Trade is strong in the UK, with many growers holding out for better prices. The inclement weather conditions has also halted digging progress in the UK over the past week, especially in the north of the country.

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