Consumption and sales of potatoes have picked up this week in Ireland as temperatures settle back to average levels, according to the Irish Farmers Association (IFA). Queens continue to be lifted across the country and again quality and yields are reported to be very good.
High temperatures experienced last week stopped maincrop growth and this may delay harvest in the back end of the year. Recent rainfall was welcomed by growers in most regions.
According to IFA, traders in the UK report movement as ‘just ok’ this week, but demand has been primarily for very best old crop bakers and frying varieties for coastal areas.
The yield and quality of early maincrop and salad varieties which had matured or were close to maturity before the high temperature set in are generally considered to be good, but the performance of later second earlies and true maincrop varieties is now very much in the balance.
Across Europe, temperatures have reached 40°C in South West Holland and the U.K. last week and unirrigated crops are under severe pressure. The forecast for the medium term extending into August is for the dry weather to continue.
Source: Irish Farmers Association (IFA)
Photo: Credit Kieran Murphy on Unsplash
