Comment: Retail demand remains strong this week, despite more restrictions being put in place last weekend. It also means more people are in their homes and consumption has increased. The food service sector took a further hit following the announcement. Early plantings are well under way as ground conditions improve with dry weather. Some growers are also considering beginning main crop plantings. However, ground conditions are still quite wet in parts of the country. In the UK, there are reports that retail sales have slowed down this week since the country went into a full lockdown and supermarkets have put quotas on products per customer. Plantings continue in the UK with almost perfect conditions in some regions and very wet ground conditions in other parts. Plantings remain slightly behind schedule at present. Across Europe, the impact of the current situation is mirrored in the retail and food service sector. In Sweden, retail prices have risen to take account of the fact that packers are having to work 24/7. Higher prices have yet to filter through to growers. Export markets have been disrupted as member states have different arrangements in place.

ADVERTISEMENT