The Mintec Benchmark Prices for English white potatoes was £680/MT on 4th June, an 81.3% increase year-on-year, driven by the limited availability from the small 2023 crop. Due to tight stocks, buyers face varied prices ranging from £650/mt to £730/mt for English white potatoes this week, with growers dictating terms in a seller's market. Trading activity for Maris Piper potatoes remains limited in both England and Scotland.
The new main crop is expected to be delayed by up to two weeks, arriving between the 15th and 20th of July for whites and a week earlier for Maris Piper. Limited seed availability for 2024 suggests a similar crop size to 2023. Some growers are withholding contracts for the 2024/2025 market year, anticipating continued strong prices into the new season.
Market sources emphasize the tight supply and high demand dynamics, with an expectation that prices will remain high until the availability of new crop increases. The challenging planting conditions and constrained seed availability have significantly influenced market expectations, highlighting the volatility and uncertainty within the potato market.
Source: mintecglobal.com