Sales and consumption of potatoes have increased as the holiday season ends. Harvesting of some earlier planted maincrop potatoes is ongoing, with reports indicating lower than expected numbers and reduced yields, particularly in later planted crops. However, the quality of the harvested potatoes is considered to be very good.
In the United Kingdom, except for the western regions, there is a notable dryness, necessitating irrigation not only for harvesting but also for pre-burn down to manage dry matter levels. Early plantings are being moved into storage, showing good yields, but the performance of many later planted crops is hampered by the lack of moisture, even with irrigation. Unirrigated late planted crops are reported to be poor. Dry matter levels are increasing "quite quickly," and a high tuber number is observed across the board.
Source: IFA