In the short to medium term, potato processing production appears to be at full capacity across Europe, with World Potato Markets reporting that demand for the product continues to rise in Asia, while production in New Zealand has been severely limited by recent storms.

“Drought is causing potato growers to be very wary of over-commitment on their contracts with the threat of enforced supply if irrigation restrictions (which look very likely) come into force,” the IFA expert wrote in their latest report.

The retail market and domestic spending in Ireland are unaffected. With rates cited at over EUR250/tonne, the processing is moving along well. Portugal has received shipments of potatoes, and there has been a strong demand for more Irish potatoes. Provisional stock data from the IFA markets survey indicates that stocks are comparable to 2021 stocks and lower than this time last year.

“Growers continue to contemplate their options for planting as the numbers are simply not stacking up for growers storing potatoes with current energy prices. Potato farmers need the market to return a fair price that makes their farms viable,” the report concludes.