Retailers’ demand has been impacted by the recent increase in the UK packing potato costs, and supermarkets are making the most of contracted supplies to limit their vulnerability to high pricing in the free-buy market.

On June 6, 2023, the Mintec Benchmark Prices (MBP) for Grade 1 White Packing Potatoes EXW England were estimated at GBP400/mt, up GBP25/mt from the previous week and up 321% from the previous year.

“There isn’t any margin on free-buy potatoes at these price levels, so we have only been buying to ensure continuity of supply and where possible are relying on contracted stocks to offset the high prices,” a UK supermarket buyer disclosed to Mintec.

Along with the onset of warmer weather in the UK and the EU, consumer demand for fresh potatoes has decreased. Due to the change, growers now need more irrigation to make up for the recent dearth of precipitation.