Following a period of hot weather, potato consumption has seen a decline over the past week. Despite this, year-to-date consumption figures remain robust, with Kantar's latest data indicating an upward trend in both value and volume of sales.
In Ireland, growers are facing challenges with yield outputs, particularly for crops planted later in the season. The delay in the planting season has set back harvest times, with significant quantities expected to be harvested and stored in the coming weeks, notably in regions north of Dublin.
Across the UK, the situation varies by region. In the west and midlands, the harvest into storage is moving forward effectively. Conversely, eastern areas up to Yorkshire are experiencing dry soil conditions, leading to difficulties in crop lifting and an increased risk of bruising, despite irrigation efforts. In Scotland, the pace of maincrop lifting into storage lags behind last year's, with only a minimal percentage completed.
Source: IFA