Drought conditions during the summer have resulted in poor crop yields across Europe. Rainfall 10 days ago aided lifting conditions but was deemed insufficient in most areas to have a significant impact on the crop. Yield test digs in France are now trending similar to last year and are 4% lower than the five-year average, but senescence is more advanced this year.

“The plots that can’t be irrigated will, undoubtedly, provide less weighty potatoes. Yields are lower throughout Western Europe, which keeps the market moody. It’s hard to say what prices the winter will bring, but for now, I don’t see them dropping. I think the market will remain healthy, with above-average prices,” Kees Bijl of Bijl Aardappelen recently declared, cited by Fresh Plaza.

The situation in the United Kingdom remains gloomy. Unirrigated sites are mostly past the stage of recovery, and there are some concerning signs of sprouting and secondary growth. Many packing crops in England have now been burned off, but late varieties that have been well irrigated will benefit from the rain and should produce good samples.

In fact, in a recent report, the UK government’s Environmental Agency warned that the production of potatoes and other prolific UK crops is expected to fall “between 10% and 50%” due to a limited number of irrigation options. Since potatoes require lots of water, spud growers are expecting “a decline of up to 40%”. The Environmental Agency is now challenged with helping provide farmers with irrigation while making sure folks at home have plenty of drinking water.

“In Scotland, there has been another 10 to 25mm this week which has benefited some crops but there are still concerns that yields of whites particularly will be restricted. Lifting remains difficult and there have been rejections again this week for bruising and particularly on Maris Piper,” according to a recent IFA press release.

For Ireland, reports from growers indicate that sales are picking up marginally as schools return and the holiday periods draw to an end.

“It is widely reported that crops did not recover from two successive droughts in the space of one month and that yields will be reduced in many regions across the country. Like the UK, it is feared that significant rainfall would do more harm than good at this point. The price of new season queens remains in the region of EUR4.60-5.50 ex-farm in 10kg bags,” the document states.

There is serious concern about the inflated cost of production this year and many growers are considering their options now for next season. Meetings continue with packers and retailers ahead of the new season.

“IFA will hold an online meeting for growers to discuss the new season in the coming week,” the report concluded.