Consumer demand for potatoes has remained strong as we enter the Christmas period and potato growers cease trading for 2018. Prices have remained static over the past few weeks with no price changes being reported by potato growers.
Chairman of the IFA National Potato committee Thomas McKeown has called on all retailers not to devalue their produce for consumer footfall over the Christmas period. After the challenging year with weather extremes, growers should be receiving a premium on their produce when demand is at its peak and not suffer price cuts. All crops have been lifted from the ground with no potatoes left to dig in 2019. Meanwhile in the UK, production is down by 13% compared to the 5-year average. This is due to a 4.4% reduction in plantings and 12% drop in yields. 2018 has been the worst year for potato production in the UK since 2012. However, Scottish potato yields increased by 3% on 2017 figures. The April 2019 European future price is now at €305/tonne.
Ex-Farm Potato Prices reported to IFA
| Low | High | Average | |
| Rooster box (New season) | €500 | €520 | €510 |
| Rooster 10kg bags (New Season) | €5.75 | €6.25 | €6.00 |
| Whites box (New season) | €500 | €550 | €525 |
| Kerr Pinks 10kg (New season) | €6.25 | €6.75 | €6.50 |
| Golden Wonder box (New Season) | €680 | €720 | €700 |
