There is still a lot of ground to be covered, and potato lifting progress in Europe has been characterized as ‘minimal’ once more recently. Ex-farm prices have finally begun to rise, primarily for processed goods.

“In Scotland, lifting was possible most days last week and a lot of the larger growers are well through crops. Further South, progress has been extremely limited although there has been more action in the Midlands and Yorkshire. An increasing number of stores with signs of breakdown are being emptied for peeling and french fry processing as growers attempt to stem losses,” the latest IFA report reveals.

Ireland’s demand for potatoes at retail stores and for domestic use is high because people there are beginning to recognize how important they are given the current state of the country’s high cost of living. Although conditions are very challenging, growers are still making an effort to harvest in some areas.

“Good progress has been made in Donegal where less rainfall has been experienced. Potatoes dug into stores are very tight and market prices are responding accordingly. Peeling potatoes are reported in the region of EUR500/tonne,” the IFA potato experts concluded.