Potato yields fall in Ireland while European and UK markets experience subdued trade

Trade has been slightly subdued with the recent milder weather for this time of year, as colder conditions are now setting in this trend should change, according to information in this week’s potato market report from the Irish Farmers Association (IFA).

The IFA says harvest is now complete in most regions with favourable conditions throughout harvest in general. Yields are reduced on later planted crops particularly early indications and observations from around the country indicate that yields will be lower than 2023, possibly somewhere between 10-15% across the main varieties.

Across Europe, lifting is now almost complete although there is still 10 to 15% in Normandy, 10% in central parts of Belgium and a small area in south eastern Holland to finish. In the physical markets, free buy trade is still very low volume, but buyers are now looking for well-conditioned dry samples ex store rather than recently lifted crop which is proving hard to stabilise in store.

In the U.K., for chipping varieties demand remains “static” with only limited movement to Ireland. More crop is now being sold out of store and demand is primarily for branded samples on repeat order.

Pricing for various varieties has seen some fluctuation, as detailed in the following table: