Potato demand improves in Ireland, European markets regain confidence

The Irish Farmers Association (IFA) reports that retail and consumer demand have improved in the country this week as colder weather has returned and families are back into routines, following the holiday period. The hospitability sector continues to prosper despite the return of schools.  

Harvesting of maincrop Rooster continues and again reports are that yields are average. The cold spring/early summer followed by a period of drought conditions are taking a toll on yields. Many growers have delayed harvesting to give crops extra time to mature.

Demand remains buoyant for Queens in Ireland, and stocks are becoming increasingly tight. Harvesting of Kerr Pinks should increase in the next week – liftings have been slow to date, as again crops were affected by this seasons growing conditions. 

According to the IFA report, European markets continue to regain confidence as economies are almost fully re-opened at this point. Demand is described as “reasonable” and prices are generally holding. The processing sector is stable, compared to this period last year. 

In the UK sellers are noticing more rejections, mainly attributed to growth cracks and bruising. Sales of Maris Piper are reported as steady in the U.K. and attempts to force lower values have largely been resisted.

Source: IFA. Original report here
Photo: The Irish Times

Ex-farm potato prices reported to the IFA (14/09/2021)