Comment: A lot of early-crop Rooster growers will finish up harvesting this week. Rainfall is continuing to cause problems for harvesting, particularly in Donegal. Some growers have resumed harvesting this week, but conditions are quite poor. Digging of the main-season crop is expected to commence in the next two weeks.

Reports from the UK indicate that yields are only reasonable, generally described as “good to average but not exceptional”. This is similar here, as initial tuber numbers appear to be low.

Farmers are reminded to remain vigilant for blight, as weather conditions conducive to blight are present.

In Europe, some reports indicate that free-buying prices for frying potatoes are under pressure, as processors concentrate on contracted supply. In many mainland countries, early yields are only back slightly on the five-year average and significantly up on last year’s crop, which was severely affected by drought.

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