Potatoes: 08/01/2019

Ex-farm potato prices reported to the IFA

Comment: Despite the expected lull in potato sales for early January, demand is surprisingly strong. Many of the peeling companies in particular, on both sides of the border, are looking for product. Farmgate prices for this type of peeling/processing material are ranging from €350 to €420/t, depending on quality and size specifications, etc. In the retail market, we will continue to see a scarcity in the more traditional Kerr’s Pink and Golden Wonder varieties. Due to a combination of reduced acreage plus the effects of the drought during the growing season, the overall production levels for these varieties are down by over 50% compared with last season. If ground conditions remain favourable, we will see growers beginning to plant the first of the outdoor early varieties in the coming weeks. As producers make plans for these plantings, they need to consider what the demand in the market will be. There is no doubt that we will see reduced supply for the remainder of the season from cold stores. However, last season, despite a reduction in the supply of the traditional early season varieties, such as Home Guard, Premier and Queens, general consumer demand was disappointing and this has been the trend for these varieties in recent years.