Retail demand and consumption of potatoes in the UK are on an upward trend with the reopening of schools after the summer vacation. The market is witnessing the arrival of the new season Rooster potatoes as they become ready for harvest. However, there are concerns about the yields of later-planted crops, which could be quite variable, particularly those planted with home-saved seed.
In the UK, the development of bold tubers is being hampered by high tuber numbers in many crops, necessitating irrigation by growers to facilitate lifting. Pre-burn down irrigation has also been employed to manage D.M. levels. Recent times have seen an increase in quality issues, such as bruising, especially in Maris Piper and White varieties, leading to rejection.
Source: IFA