The conflict in Ukraine has eclipsed the European potato markets these days. Moreover, despite the world demand for the processed product being at an all-time high, there is much less activity in the free-buy physical markets this week.

“Exports of frozen product to Russia – which have been halted – are reported to account for around 5 to 7% of total frozen product exports (12,000 to 20,000 tons of raw potatoes) per month but this could ‘easily’ be taken up by demand from Asia,” the Irish Farmers Association’s latest report shows.

In Ireland, markets and consumption have leveled off recently, ‘probably’ due to a combination of factors such as post-pandemic lifestyle and the current inflationary model.

“The dire situation unfolding in Ukraine is putting extreme pressure on the agricultural industry and decisions to be made regarding 2022 crops. Fertilizer and diesel have reached record high costs in the past week casting great uncertainty for the sector,” the IFA experts added.

Plantings are again held up in the UK for the fourth consecutive week.