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Close to 80% of potato crops have yet to be planted this spring. At this same time last year, potato planting was virtually complete.
The total area planted in early and maincrop potatoes in 2017 was 570ha and 7,760ha respectively. So far this spring, the IFA estimates as little as 200ha of early potatoes and 1,600ha of maincrops have been planted.
The late spring and poor ground conditions have severely disrupted planting, which is now three to four weeks behind in places. Maincrop planting is staggered but progress is slightly further ahead in the northwest than parts of the south and southeast, according to IFA potato and fresh produce development officer Pat Farrell.
Early Queen potatoes have been planted as late as this week. However, the market window for these crops is now considerably shorter and a number of growers have abandoned planting early crops despite having purchased the seed.
Damage
As much as 200ha of 2017’s crop remained in the ground one month ago but most of these have now been harvested. However, due to frost, water and pest damage along with sprouting, the saleable tonnage is dramatically reduced.
As the area of early potatoes is significantly reduced and the planting of maincrop potatoes is late, the season for selling 2017’s cold-stored potato crops will be extended to fill the gap in the market. Once ambient stored crops and recently harvested crops are out of circulation, upward price movements for cold-stored potatoes may occur.
Just 5% of field veg crops planted
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