The current weather crisis is causing huge concern for Irish potato growers. Planting of early crops has been extremely limited, and the forecast is for continued unsettled weather. With the current shortage of main season crop, this extreme weather will worsen the situation. Consumption remains buoyant as hearty meals continue to be a feature in households.
Across Europe, planting progress of the early crop has improved last week but the forecast is for further rain. Planting of the early processing crop is likely to be delayed further. Prices in the processing and fresh markets are holding firm. Likewise, very little progress has been made in the U.K, however, in the East some good progress was made on sandy soils.
For more information: ifa.ie