Potato Prices & Commentary

Ex-Farm Potato Prices reported to IFA

Lifting continues this week for growers who have crop remaining in the ground. Conditions remain very difficult which will contribute to high losses. Frost conditions will also add to the amount of unsaleable crop. Most crops remaining in the ground are in the South East of the country with some growers reporting figures of around 12% of their crop left to be harvested.

In the U.K. a price split is emerging depending on quality. Reports indicate that movement of lower quality supplies is steady and prices for best quality have continued upwards to encourage growers to move good quality material.

Across Europe harvesting is now virtually complete apart from Ireland, the Netherlands and the U.K. About 2% of crop remains in the ground in the Netherlands but there has been 25mm of rain over the past few days therefore it is likely to remain unlifted. In the North Yorks in the U.K reports indicate that some 20% of crop remains in the ground.

Exports by the E.U to third countries including Asia and South America were down by 5.2% over the previous year to September due to lack of produce available, however exports to North America were up 50%.

Ex-Farm Potato Prices reported to IFA

With the week of wet weather just passed and no settled weather forecasted, it is most likely that a lot of the crop that remains in the ground will not be lifted until next spring. Reports around the country indicate that a lot of growers still have 15%-20% of crop left to harvest.

Farm gate prices should rise as it is now likely that there will be a reduction in volumes available to the market. In the U.K., price increases remain in place this week particularly for good quality contracted supply. Growers are reminded not to rule out supplying the peeling market at this time.

Lifting progress dominates much of the European press once again this week. In France and Belgium only about 2% to 3% of the crop remains to be lifted. Most of this is on heavy land next to the Channel coast line. In the Netherlands around 6% remains to be lifted and reports suggest that half will be lifted and half will remain in the ground. The rain has eased in the U.K., however saturated soils mean that severe lifting conditions persist.

Ex-Farm Potato Prices reported to IFA

The weather outlook for the next week is unsettled making it more likely that remaining crop will not be harvested until next Spring.Frosty conditions over the past week are a major concern for growers, ultimately leading to crop losses. The severity of losses is not yet known.

Lifting progress is very slow and a lot of growers still have between 20% and 25% of their crop left to harvest. Farm gate prices should increase due to the forecasted reduction in supply.

In the U.K. price increases have been seen in many sectors particularly for best quality supplies as growers are reluctant to move good quality contracted supply.

Lifting conditions remain quite difficult across Europe and progress has been minimal. Rainfall totals have been from 30mm up to 60mm in the Netherlands.  The area remaining to be lifted ranges from around 5% in Northern France and Belgium to 10%-15% in the Netherlands. The heavier soils are most delayed and it is now becoming clear that much of the crop in the ground at present may not be cleared before the New Year.