The Irish Farmers Association (IFA) says in its weekly potato market report that plantings continue around the country with good conditions reported in most regions. Some growers have finished or are nearing completion in the South East region following a dry spell of weather. Consumption has improved slightly in the past week following a colder period.
Again, IFA underscores the trend that growers storing potatoes are incurring huge increased costs due to soaring energy bills. These costs must be recognised at packer and retail level, the organisation says.
In the U.K. conditions are similar to at home where night temperatures have been quite low and slowed growth.
The 2022/23 planted area in North West Europe could be the lowest for some time and this is a contributing factor to the pricing confidence levels going forward, according to IFA. Processing futures prices for April/ June 2022 and April 2023 are holding with a tendency to edge higher.
The haulage industry in Spain is in chaos and there have been reports of food shortages.
Source: Irish Farmers Association (IFA). Original report and price indicators here
Photo: IFA
