As buyers concentrate on contracts, the physical prices of potatoes that are available for delivery in the processing business have stabilized in Europe.

“In Belgium, stocks at the beginning of February were 110,000 tonnes lower than last year but very similar to the average of the last three years. 61% of these stocks were on contract which is much lower than normal,” the latest IFA report reveals.

In Ireland, the retail potato demand and consumption remain steady. According to the IFA stocks survey as of Jan 31st, 2025, there are approximately 5,000 tonnes less stocks in the country than in January 2020, which was the last year where trends were not distorted because of the pandemic.

“With this in mind, current supply and demand should align well until a new main season crop comes on board. There have been inquiries about exports to European markets over the past week,” the IFA potato experts concluded.