WARM weather was poised to impact on potato consumption in Ireland, as consumers typically shifted towards salads, IFA, Ireland’s largest farming representative organisation, stated.
The organisation said the market for processing material is currently subdued. More Queens are expected to enter the market from the northeast within the next fortnight. So far, yields have been described as good, and demand for early varieties has been positive.
Across Europe, domestic markets are also under pressure, with limited demand for exports, the IFA told its members. Many regions continue to face drought, with recent rainfall totals of only 15 to 20mm, although heavier rain has been recorded in southern Belgium and Germany. Long-term storers are losing confidence, as the new crop is advancing rapidly. In the UK, several buyers of chipping varieties were keen to clear old crop stocks before moving on to the new season.
Source: IFA
