New Season Potato Prices Stabilize

Farm gate prices of new season potatoes have stabilised this week, as many of the growers who have been in the market since the beginning of June are now finished.

These same growers were still supplying the market well into August last year so obviously supply and demand should be in balance this year.

It must be realised that the early market traditionally runs well into September and with no pressure from retailers or merchants to further reduce farm gate prices, growers need to remain patient.

Recent rain in Europe has reduced the risk of drought in places, however, it did not come early enough for certain countries where crops have suffered severely due to the earlier dry spell. It is a reality that high yields throughout Europe may not materialise, so despite an increased planted area, production levels may not increase year on year.

Ex-farm prices reported to IFA