Potato Lifting in Normandy and Belgium Slowed Down
After several significant downfalls, potato lifting has halted in Belgium and Normandy. Clearance is only about 50%+ in Belgium. Some contractor-dependent growers have not yet begun.
“In the U.K. good clearance is reported across the region. For crisping varieties, clearance is now put at 70 to 75% overall. Lifting is seriously delayed in South Shropshire and Herefordshire. ‘Two or three’ stores have been unloaded due to fears over keeping quality,” according to the latest IFA potato report.
Regarding retail sales, the Irish market has stabilized nicely. Next week’s midterm break for schools should boost demand from the food service industry.
“Good lifting progress continues to be made around the country as conditions are very good. Correcting dry matter on late planted crops is taking time and skin set is taking time also. Progress is slower in Donegal. Yields continue to be reported to be below last year in most incidences on later planted crops,” IFA’s potato experts concluded.
