The Irish Farmers Association (IFA) reports in its weekly potato market update that retail demand remains similar to the rolling average for this time of the year in Ireland. There is renewed demand for the processing sector as it appears that restaurants will be allowed to open beyond the current 8pm time in the next two weeks. There is good demand for high quality packing material at present.
Reports from growers indicate that quality issues are emerging around Ireland and saleable yields are significantly reduced as a result. Some growers are reported saleable yields similar to 2012 levels.
IFA reports that across Europe, physical prices in the processing sector are firm and there have been some increased free buy prices paid over the last week. Factories are running to capacity and sales of product within and outside Europe are now almost back to pre-Covid levels. In France, it is suggested that if the current volumes continue, processing could equal its 2018-2019 record at 1,307,000 tons used over 12 months.
