Potato Prices & Commentary

Ex-Farm Potato Prices reported to IFA

Digging is well under way this week with many potato growers taking advantage of the mild conditions present to harvest the crop. It is estimated that up to 25% of the main crop harvest is complete, with this figure on the rise daily. Information on yields at the minute is limited, with variable yields being reported nationwide. Growers are busy at the minute trying to harvest as much as possible while the mild conditions exist and before ground conditions deteriorate, as we move into the winter period and shortening daylight hours. Farmers are advised to conduct a yield assessment in their fields in order to identify if any problems exist in the yield, and it may help to prioritise which order the crops of potatoes are dug in. Prices have remained stable over the past week with no major changes to report. Queen stocks are running extremely short and any remaining growers expect to be finished with their stocks of Queens in the next 10 days. Meanwhile in the UK, as the potato harvest progresses, reduced yields and secondary growth continue to be reported from unirrigated crops, although quality has been found to be better than feared during the drought period.

Ex-Farm Potato Prices reported to IFA

Potato growers are currently busy digging crops, with mainly early sown crops being sold at retail level. According to reports from growers around the country, although yields are variable, the potatoes are of excellent quality. In the south east of the country, early sown potatoes, which were sprouted at planting, have produced average yields, whilst later sown crops’ yields are significantly less. Digging is reportedly prorgessing well in this area, with many growers having at least half of their crop lifted out of the ground. Meanwhile, in the north of the country in Donegal, there is a small percentage of potatoes dug so far with most crops now burned off.  Farm gate prices remain stable across all product lines. Over in Europe, the main concern among potato growers is not being able to fill contracted supply. Germany has estimated their potato production to be down by 3 million tonnes with losses of 20% up to 50% depending on the farm and level of irrigation.

Ex-Farm Potato Prices reported to IFA

As we enter October, all growers thoughts have turned to digging their crops of potatoes, and hope that the yields and quality have not been too badly affected by the difficult conditions experienced from sowing right until burning off. Farmers are hoping for favourable digging conditions as we enter the traditionally unpredictable weather of the back end of the year. Old season Rooster stock has now fully phased out at retail level with new season stock now taking its place on market shelves. Queen stocks are running very short with hardly any stocks left for sale at the moment. Prices have remained stable with very little change reported over the past week.

Meanwhile, across Europe this summer’s drought and heatwave will cut Germany’s potato harvest by around 25 percent on the year to about 8.7 million tonnes. In the UK, skin set is becoming an issue with some crops that have been dug.