All retail outlets now have new-season Queens in stock and according to this week’s Potato Market Report, published by the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA), the arrival of Queens in all stores is earlier than last year.

The harvesting of Queens is now in full swing in the south-east and along the east coast. According to the report, the majority of Home Guards and Premiers have been moved.

The trade from the food-service sector is still behind, but is improving with the re-opening of the country.

Reports from the fields are that the main potato crop is looking good and blight warnings continue.

Looking at last season’s stock and prices remain unchanged from July 8. The average ex-farm potato prices reported to the IFA, which were published on July 15, are listed below.

Average ex-farm potato prices reported to the IFA:
  • Rooster box – €350;
  • Rooster 10kg bag – €3.50;
  • Whites box – €350;
  • Kerr Pinks 10kg bag – €4.50;
  • Golden wonder – 10kg bag – €5.50.

The UK

In the UK, rain helped some crops along this week and while new-season potatoes are making their way into most markets the IFA reported that some farmers are not in any panic to lift as the market continues to be well supplied.

Europe

The North-Western European Potato Growers reported that the area planted to consumption potatoes has increased by 0.5% from last year and is now at approximately 621,148ha.

The majority of this increase is coming from Germany and France. It was also reported that there have been transfers from processing to table potatoes.