Contract stock leads average potato price rise
© Tim Scrivener Potato prices increased overall in the week to 11 September, with the GB average up 9% to £162.32/t.
However, the free-buy average lost 1% to £161.72/t. Contract trade accounted for the majority of the sample, according to a report by the AHDB.
Prices for free-buy packing stocks saw a general downwards trend with Marfona and Estima falling by £5/t each to £160/t and £155/t ex-farm, respectively, while Maris Piper remained neutral at £190/t.
“Packers focused on moving contracted stocks supplemented by free-buy supplies.
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“These were readily available, putting pressure on prices,” said the report.
Bagged potatoes also saw a negative trend with Sagitta frying-quality stocks dropping by £5/t to £170/t ex-farm while lower quality Maris Piper fell by £30/t to £130/t ex-farm.
“Plentiful frying supplies were on offer meeting a slow demand and putting pressure on prices,” added the report.
AHDB estimated that 25,000ha (20%) of the GB crop had been cleared by 11 September.
“Lifting was virtually uninterrupted while burning off also continued for storage, but some crops remain green with further growth potential,” said the report.
“Quality is generally good although yields and size are variable.”