Domestic Potato Market Report

Ex-Farm Potato Prices reported to IFA

The high levels of rainfall which have fallen in the past week has made ground conditions more challenging for digging crops of potatoes and many growers have been stopped up for the past week.. The mild conditions and excellent ground conditions in the past few weeks allowed growers to harvest their crops at ease. The majority of digging has been completed in the South east and southern areas of the country while digging continues to progress in the North East. According to reports from growers around the country, it is estimated that 60% of the potato harvest has been completed in the North East and Donegal, 75% in the South and up to 90% completed in the South East. Stocks of queens are now gone  and queens have left the market and growers are happy with the trade for queens this year and the stable price received over the past few months. Prices are remaining stable nationwide with very little change reported from growers. Meanwhile, in the UK, the total area planted in potatoes this year is down by 4.4% on last years plantings. Trade is strong in the UK with many growers holding out for better prices. The inclement weather conditions has also halted digging progess in the UK over the past week, especially in the North of the country.