Potatoes: 13/02/2018

Ex-farm potato prices reported to the IFA

Comment: The cold start to our official spring season has ensured that potato consumption has remained strong. However, those with quality product are certainly finding it easier to move stock. At this stage of the season, all market outlets are available to potato producers. Therefore, growers should be making decisions on the appropriate market outlet and segregating their potatoes accordingly. There appears to be an improved demand in the market for Kerrs Pinks and Golden Wonders, with potential farmgate price increases on the cards. This is not surprising for Kerrs Pinks in particular, as stocks are down almost one third compared with last year. Due to the continued wet weather, there has been no progress on early plantings either here or the UK. The 2018 National Potato Conference will be held in the Red Cow Hotel, Dublin, on 20 February.