After the winter break, the potato processing plants in Europe are operating at full capacity, and the export market for frozen cultivar goods is experiencing robust demand.
The EUR currency has reportedly traded below parity with the USD, giving export values a further competitive edge on global markets, according to a recent IFA potato report.
While some purchasers are still having trouble with their contract movement, especially with Maris Piper, the spud movement over the holiday season in the U.K. seems to have maintained pace with expectations. Contracts are being accepted by Peelers, although Maris Piper is also in demand for free. Growers having potato samples that are on the verge of packing quality presently believe that it would be better to clear stockpiles now rather than wait for orders that might not materialize due to storage costs.
Retail sales in Ireland were brisk throughout the holiday season and are now back to normal levels. The majority of growers are already looking for seed for the new season, and with forecasts that the planted area will decline once more this year, there shouldn’t be a scarcity of seed for the most widely used kinds.
“Growers are advised to contact their suppliers as soon as possible. A proportion of home-saved seed may be used given some of the issues reported in 2022, however, this too has its drawbacks. The peeling trade and price remain buoyant,” the report concluded.
A source: https://www.potatobusiness.com
