European Potato Markets Fear that Restrictions May Be Enforced Again

The potato markets across Europe are wary that restrictions may be enforced again. COVID-19 is back on the agenda, despite some very encouraging figures for the export of frozen product and factory activity back to full production.

“Overall, now that lifting has almost finished, top-up supplies for processors need to come from store and growers are slowly forcing prices higher in the range. Export demand remains steady, with values broadly unchanged,” according to the latest Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) report.

“An Air of Uncertainty Regarding Markets”

Due to rising COVID-19 cases, in Ireland, there is an air of uncertainty regarding markets at present, according to the same report.

“Home consumption should pick up, especially with the colder weather forecast. A lot of growers are now finished lifting crop into stores, except for Donegal where progress is still ongoing”, the experts added.

The quality of the material is reported to be very good, with the general narrative that yields are average. Input costs, particularly fertilizer and energy, are gaining a lot of attention in the past week. Energy costs will be significant for growers with potatoes in store over winter.