Potato Market Update 7th August

Demand is reported to be slightly subdued with holiday season at peak. The remainder of old season crop is being used up. New season Queens are now readily available and filling the market where gaps were evident. Prices have softened in comparison to earlier in the season. Early Rooster will be available in the south east in the next couple of weeks. There was a lot of blight pressure towards the end of July and growers are advised to be vigilant.

Across Europe, there is very little activity on the free market and values have come under pressure again this week. Some factories in Holland are reported to still have light stocks of old crop and the transfer to the new season will be much easier than at one time feared. Looking ahead, the market for processed product looks very positive but increased prices over the last two years are being blamed for a fall in demand for frozen product.