A healthy, stable demand is recorded for fresh potato consumption across Europe, with values in Germany nudging up.

Growers are pushing for sales despite the weak markets at the moment to avoid paying for storage. Despite the extremely warm weather in October, confidence in the export markets to Spain, Portugal, and Eastern Europe later in the season remains positive, according to a recent IFA report.

“In the U.K. markets have been ‘subdued’ this week but those supplying the catering sector report good demand. Maris Piper demand remains ‘lackluster’ and growers are generally keen to sell to try to avoid the increasing costs of electricity. Quality is generally good but bacterial rots are being found in stores which have been slow to stabilize,” IFA’s experts say.

Since the weather has gotten worse, retail sales and consumption in Ireland have increased and steadied. Following significant rains across a large portion of the nation in the previous 10 days, harvest conditions are still very bad. As a fresh understanding of the season where crops may need to be overwintering emerges, prices continue to keep constant.