Potato Prices & Commentary

Ex-Farm Potato Prices reported to IFA

Harvesting continues this week however, difficult harvesting conditions are hampering harvest once again. The majority of main season Rooster crop was harvested by the first week of November last year, it looks like it may be near the end of November this year.

There is excellent market demand for any Kerr Pink crops available, especially since Queen Potato stocks are now depleted, quoted prices reflect this.

Lifting progress is quite variable across Europe. Lifting progress was put at 60% in France but only 10% in Northern Belgium. Northern European coastlines got the worst of the weather, while parts of southern Germany report good progress.

As the Brexit deadlines gets ever closer, a British exporter has reported that a Portuguese supermarket has delisted all UK potatoes from its shelves, as if there is a no deal Brexit, technically it would be illegal to stock them. The Canaries while they are not a trading part of the EU are also erring on the side of caution in relation to Brexit. Some exporters are wary of having stocks ‘on the water’ on the 31^st of October.

Ex-Farm Potato Prices reported to IFA

Heavy rainfall over the weekend hampered lifting especially along the west coast. Conditions have improved slightly as the week progresses, however, harvesting on heavier fields is likely to remain difficult as more rain is forecast.

Supplies remain temporarily tightened with strong market demand for crops available. Apart from this, overall the growing season has been quite balanced to date. Difficult harvest conditions have also been reported in the U.K. this week.

Demand for export to Eastern Europe has slowed as potential importing countries are using their own supplies. Movement to the Canaries continues at a steady pace with more interest following forecasted rain. Buyers in the Island are looking to pull prices, but reports indicate that there is little change in quoted prices and sellers remain confident.

Ex-Farm Potato Prices reported to IFA

With storm Lorenzo looming some growers are feeling the pressure as harvest conditions continue to deteriorate across the country, following heavy rain over the weekend. Supplies have temporarily tightened as growers struggle to get crops out of the ground, however, there is strong market demand for any produce available. Again, reports indicate that yields are not exceptional due to weather conditions earlier in the season.

Prices quoted for Whites range from €340-€400/tonne with prices of €400/tonne reported for good quality Maris Piper.

The NEPG (the big five) predict a crop of 27-27.5 million tonnes this year. This is an increase of 3% above the 5-year average and 12% more than last year. However, this is just an initial estimation when most crops are still in the ground and large variation in yields have been reported in several countries. This increase in production is not attributed to greater yields but to greater area planted this year. Reports indicate that the actual current yield in the Big Five is 44.7t/ha, which compares with the 5-year average of 47.2t/ha. Last year it was 40.0t/ha.