Demand across the week is described as lacklustre, with the majority of movement on contract. The government roadmap for lifting lockdown restrictions, due 22 February, is awaited by the industry. This is needed to help forecast future demand, although some are concerned whether timings of easements will stimulate sufficient levels, according to this week’s Potato Weekly report by AHDB.
According to the report, quality issues are starting to show and for some, the current pressure on prices is in the face of rising storage costs this season.
This week’s free-buy packing trade is reported as both slow and low in volume, compared to previous weeks. A high proportion of packing material continues to move on contract this week. Maris Piper continues to hold a premium over Whites.
The majority of processing trade this week has been fulfilled on contract. Free-buy purchases have largely been made as ‘top-ups’ where necessary.
AHDB says it is unable to publish a price for exports this week due to insufficient quotes, and has anecdotally heard of export trade to Belgium, the Canary Islands & Ireland.
Source: AHDB Potato Weekly. Full report here
