Potato Growers Should Push for Increases

Demand remains firm across the potato market sectors. Growers need to continue to push for price increases across all lines in order to cover the increased costs associated with storage.

As reported previously, potato stocks are down over 5,000 tonnes compared to 2016 therefore, as the season progresses demand will exceed supply.

There has been no addition to the small areas of earlies planted at the end of January and the outlook remains poor for further progress in the short term. In the UK free buy market, prices have edged higher last week and increased quantities are again being exported to Belgium and elsewhere. The European situation remains very positive with the futures price trading up to €80 per tonne higher than last year.

Potato Prices