Anticipation Grows as Europe Awaits New Season Potato Harvest
Across Europe, stakeholders eagerly await the upcoming potato harvest season, closely monitoring when sufficient quantities will be available to resume processing after plant closures for maintenance.
In Belgium, where planting was notably delayed, the pressure is particularly palpable. Current projections suggest limited availability of early processing crops in July, with substantial volumes not anticipated until mid-August.
“Some early ‘table’ varieties are now being lifted, and prices are holding steady compared to last year, defying the usual seasonal decline,” reported the latest update from the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA).
Persistent cold and rainy conditions in Ireland have sustained strong demand for potatoes. As new season varieties gradually enter the market, existing inventories are progressively dwindling.
“This pattern is likely to persist for at least another fortnight until more batches of new season Queens are ready for harvesting. Early reports indicate that yields of some early-planted varieties have been affected due to adverse weather conditions post-planting,” concluded potato experts at IFA.
