All UK Sectors Experience Price Pressure

The latest potato report by AHDB shows that once again, trade across the week ending August 7 has been described as relatively subdued. The Government’s new “Eat Out to Help Out” scheme started this week.

It’s still quite early to see if this will re-energize trade. However, there are anxieties that it will simply redistribute demand across sectors. Moreover, there is continued pressure on price across all sectors, with supply largely exceeding demand, while yields from second early crops report to have been decent, with main crops faring well too.

Below is a breakdown of all major categories and their respective results for the week ending August 7:

Packing

• Prices have been pressured this week by the increasing supply available.
• Maris Piper has reportedly found a better level of demand, said to be due to its well-recognized traditional name for consumers. As a result, supplies have been fetching a premium over other white varieties.
• The majority of movement in packing markets remains on a contracted basis this week.

Bags

• There are reports that there is increased footfall in holiday hotspots, but that this slight uptick in demand could be eroding that from urban areas.

Processing

• Much the same as in recent weeks, processing material this week has been largely fulfilled on contract. Demand is being described as relatively steady and flat on the week.

Exports

• The export campaign to the Canaries has been reported by many to be starting imminently. However, the implications of the quarantine measures imposed by the UK Government on people returning from Spain could pressure tourist numbers and have a knock-on effect on demand for exports.