Old Crop Potatoes Push Prices Up in Northern Europe

Buyers have returned to the market in Northern Europe, battling for the meager supply of old-crop potatoes, pushing prices up once more. According to preliminary estimates, plantings in Northern Europe are on par with or slightly higher than the previous year.

“Planting has just finished in Belgium. Export demand has resurfaced again this week, leaving buyers competing for supplies,” the latest IFA report reveals.

In the UK, crops are still being irrigated even though soils are gradually drying up. Potato growth rates have slowed due to cold winds in coastal areas. Whites with baker content are in high demand this week as buyers try to cover their inventories. Although there has been opposition to the upper-end values being stated, potato prices are still stable.

Due to the weather over the past two weeks, potato retail sales and consumption in Ireland have been somewhat muted.

“Irrigation of early Roosters is now taking place in parts of the country. Some more early Queens are reported to be coming onto the market this week. Stocks of Premier and Home Guard are clearing fast. The peeling stock market remains strong with prices over EUR350/tonne. Stocks of Rooster are extremely tight and there will likely be a gap in the market before early Rooster comes on stream,” the IFA’s potato experts summed up.