Potato Trade to Eastern Europe is Still Being Restricted

Potato prices in the fresh market are stable across Europe, and strong export movement to the Mediterranean continues, with renewed interest in reds from Portugal. High selling and transportation costs continue to stymie trade to Eastern Europe.

Indeed, EastFruit analysts observe that wholesale prices for potatoes in Georgia have remained stable. The price amounts are unprecedented. According to the most recent weekly poll, local suppliers expected even higher prices due to the poor harvest and increased demand in Georgia.

Growers in the United Kingdom appear to be more confident, according to reports studied by IFA experts, and some higher prices have been given this week for the very best quality.

The retail and culinary service sectors in Ireland are still thriving. Colder weather is expected to boost home consumption over the next week.

“One year on from the invasion of Ukraine, there is still huge concern around the outlook and the cost of input materials and energy. It was announced this week that the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme will be extended, to 31 May 2023, and enhanced, including by reducing the threshold for qualification from a 50% increase in electricity or gas costs to a 30% increase (to apply retrospectively from 1 September last year), and by increasing from 1 March the level of relief from 40% to 50% of eligible costs,” the last IFA report concludes.