European Potato Lifting Nears Completion As Prices Stabilize
The European potato harvest is drawing to a close as market conditions show signs of stabilising, according to the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA). Improved lifting conditions and steady retail sales have helped bring more balance to the market.
The IFA reports that “market conditions in terms of consumption and retail sales appear to have settled, with good demand reported for packing-quality material. Prices have also stabilised.” However, it noted that demand for the bagging and peeling trade remains “lacklustre due to an overhang of last season’s potatoes,” a situation expected to ease in the coming weeks.
Across Europe, lifting is “almost complete,” and conditions have improved following recent rain, the IFA said. Stores are mostly full, and “some precarious temporary storage is being used for the last of the crop.”
In France, storage issues such as rots and early germination have been reported, while “there is almost no demand for free-buy potatoes from factories.” In the United Kingdom, growers are “looking to clear the crop that is in temporary storage,” with “to clear” values being offered to ease pressure.
As the season transitions from field to store, the IFA suggests that overall supply levels are balanced and that price stability could continue into early winter, provided storage conditions improve and secondary market pressures ease.
