European Potato Market is Focused on Clearing Contracts

Ex-field movement in Europe is currently concentrated on clearing contracts, especially those involving potato crops that were allowed to bulk up after unfavorable growth conditions, such as June's extreme dryness followed by July's extreme wetness and coldness.

In the U.K. early maincrop varieties are senescing and burn down of packing varieties started last week on medium soils. This follows some rapid growth rates over the last two weeks, where low tuber numbers on some crops have caused potential oversize.

Later planted maincrop still have much to do with flowering still widespread on Markies. White potatoes grown on silty soils in the East, which were not irrigated during the extreme dry season, have not recovered well and have uneven yields with irregular forms.

The Ireland home potato consumption and demand from retail remain unchanged and should see a boost as schools return from this week onwards. Early Rooster continues to be harvested where fit, with excellent demand due to the scarcity of old season Rooster crop.

“Yields are reported to be very average at best. It will be some weeks before more volume of new season crop becomes available, again coinciding with this year’s difficult planting season. Merchants continue to seek out any remaining old season crop with strong prices reported accordingly,” a recent IFA report reveals.

The late blight pressures and their associated cost continue to be a significant burden for potato farmers this season.