Comment: Retail demand remains buoyant and the food service sector is now operating at around 20% to 25% of capacity as more restaurants open on a take-out basis. Glasshouse potato harvesting started over the last two weeks and roadside sales are expected to begin next week. With current travel restrictions in place it is unknown what projected sales will be. If dry weather and windy conditions persist, crop development will most likely be delayed, especially along the east coast. First outdoor early crops are expected to be dug for the June bank holiday weekend. The IFA is currently undertaking a stocks survey. The market situation remains largely unchanged. In the UK, conditions are also extremely dry and the rain last week wasn’t enough to make a big difference. Frost damage remains a concern among growers. The European futures market has traded higher for the first time in weeks since the pandemic hit. The NPEG suggests that there are 2 million tonnes of processing potatoes in northern Europe which will need to be moved for animal feed, starch or ethanol production before next season.

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