Across Europe, the message is that potato crops are delayed, and yields are quite poor to date. Early crop supplies for processing are unlikely to be available from Germany before the third week in July and could be as late as the first week in August from Belgium.

“In the U.K. it is very dry in most regions and irrigation is in full swing. Any unirrigated crops are looking very stressed,” a recent IFA report reveals.

In Ireland, potato demand and consumption have leveled off with consumers turning to salads in the warmer weather, however, sales are reported to be strong for Queens.

“The season remains significantly behind schedule and with stocks tightening by the day, a gap in the market is most likely. Some rainfall over the past week is very welcome from growers, however, more is needed especially for the earlier planted Rooster crops,” the IFA experts summed up.