Across Europe, the potato demand for the holiday period improved, according to the latest Irish Farmers’ Association report.
The document reveals that the potato export demand was reported to be reduced during the run-up to the holiday period although exporters in Holland reported a more positive tone and particularly in the Mediterranean countries with the odd price increase.
In the United Kingdom orders, including free buy are just starting to pick up for both whites and Maris Piper spud varieties, but ex-farm values are slow to improve.
“There have been rejections recently for internal blackening,” the experts wrote in their report.
For the Irish market, trade was floating, as expected for the busiest shopping week of the year (19-25th December 2022).
“The demand and price for peeling produce trade remain very strong with prices quoted in the region of EUR250-EUR270/tonne, with many quoted at the high end of this scale,” according to the report.
Input prices and the cost of storing potatoes continue to be the main concern for growers heading into the new year when more cold stores will be in operation. Some growers are currently weighing up their options concerning continuing next season.
A source: https://www.potatobusiness.com
