Comment

There was encouraging news for the food service sector as restaurants were given the green light to reopen on Friday. Retail trade remains strong as we approach Christmas. Harvesting continues in Donegal when conditions allow. The importation of seed potato and ware potato from the UK may be affected from 1 January. This will present opportunities for Irish growers to produce more of these potatoes. In the UK, lockdown restrictions continue to slow trade. Prices have stayed relatively stable, with quality causing price fluctuations. There have been reports of poorer-quality material due to bruising and water logging. Export demand has remained firmer than domestic, particularly supported by strong consumption in the Canary Islands. Across Europe, prices in the fresh sector are holding firm. Good to strong demand has been aided by promotions in the multiples, while lockdown restrictions remain in place. The processing market is unchanged. The only encouragement so far is that excess to contract and free-buy is being cleared with ease to other outlets, although at low prices. There is low availability of containers to export seed tops from Scotland this week.