Demand for meat, dairy and potato products in 2021 will be dependent on the UK’s recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, with potatoes the real winner in the retail sector during lockdown, writes Alex Black in an article published by Farmers Guardian.
Analysts at AHDB have taken a look at what each sector can expect in 2021. AHDB was expecting a year of two halves, with gradual loosening of restrictions and the whole of the country able to access eat out markets in the second half of the year.
In the potato sector, lockdown had led to more people eating at home, increasing demand for packing potatoes, although the hospitality sector closure had impacted processing potatoes.
Vikki Campbell, AHDB arable market specialist manager, said pressured free buy prices alongside the challenges with sprout suppressants may point to a contraction in the processing potato area. And for seed potatoes, the Scottish sector would be hoping for an agreement to access the EU markets before next season.
“If nothing is reached by mid-April we could see the seed potato area contract,” she added.
Source: Farmers Guardian. Read the full report here
