Potato Market Update 24th July

Demand remains positive at consumer and retail level. Stocks continue to tighten with new season varieties becoming more available now and they are aiding supply. Main season crops are reported to be progressing well with higher temperatures the past week. Conditions conducive to blight have been present for the past few days.

Reports suggest that the planted acreage of seed in Scotland is up slightly on last year. The area entered this year is 10,256 ha's compared to 10,066ha's last year - an increase of 190 ha's or 2%.

In the U.K. similar to here, there is still demand for old season crop, however, stocks are nearly clear. Salad crops are being lifted as they become ready and there is very little or no free buy available. In terms of new maincrop- marfona have been burnt off on the East but skin set has been slow. If growth rates do not improve, continuity will be an issue.