Progress in the potato fields is on track now according to the Irish Farmers’ Association’s (IFA’s) Potato Market Update.
The dry weather of recent times has improved lifting conditions in the fields. Many reports of main crop yields are average or just below it so far this year.
Growth cracks and greening have been attributed to some of the yield losses by farmers. The food service sector is under pressure as restrictions in Dublin impact on trade and as there is a possibility of further restrictions around the country.
This week’s average potato prices reported to the IFA are outlined below. Overall they are down from last week.
- Roosters box (new season) – €400;
- Roosters 10kg (new season) – €5;
- New-season Queens 10kg bag – €6;
- New-season Kerr Pinks – €6.
Similar to here, the UK has seen great progress in the fields this week as an increasing volume of potatoes are harvested during the dry weather.
Bruising has been reported in some parts, while wireworm was also reported and appears to come into crops late in the growth stages.
In France, Belgium and Holland dry weather is actually causing some growers to stop harvesting as potatoes are being bruised and damaged. The IFA reported that yield estimates are described as average in these countries and that late-season growth has been curtailed by the lack of rainfall.
More estimates are reported to be sating that yields are “slightly lower than average”.