Potato lifting circumstances are extremely demanding and challenging throughout Europe. It is now verified that more than five percent of the Netherlands’ seed harvest is still in the ground. In Germany, there are also late variety seeds that need to be lifted.

“Recent estimates suggest that 20% of the total crop is still in the ground in The Netherlands and that it will take a week to ten days of dry weather before conditions are dry enough for any work. In Germany, France, Belgium, and Holland combined there are still around 3.5 to 4m tonnes to lift. Much of this is in coastal areas where there has been heavy rainfall again over the last two days,” according to the latest IFA potato report.

Potato retail sales and domestic consumption are still strong in Ireland. Conditions remain extremely difficult, although a window for partial harvesting may develop during the November 19–25 week due to some dryer weather. There have been reports of below-average yields and above-average waste from cracks. Market rates are a good indicator of what potatoes are currently available in stores.