The European Potato Plantings ‘Still Going On’ Across Europe
Potato plantings were still going on across Europe last week. Spud plantings in Belgium were around 75% complete, while they were nearly completed in France and Germany. In the Netherlands, progress was at 85%, but there have been strong rains and 40 to 60mm of rain in the north since then.
“Crop establishment is being monitored very closely because of the length of time seed was held before planting. Emergence ‘problems’ are starting to show up in crops planted at the beginning of May,” the latest IFA report reveals.
Potato consumption and demand in Ireland remain high for this time of year, owing to below-average temperatures. Stocks are getting extremely tight. Some new season produce is still entering the market, albeit in modest amounts.
“It will be another couple of weeks before more early varieties are fit. There is excellent demand for any available stock. There are reports of some splits and cracks caused by the variable weather,” the IFA potato experts concluded.
