THE AVERAGE weekly potato price has broken through the £100/t barrier for the first time in eight months.

Latest British Potato Council figures show buyers paid an average of £101.43/t ex-farm for supplies in the week ending May 13.

That is a rise of £3.92 on the previous week.

The spot ex-farm price, which excludes potatoes sold under contract, rose £5.34 over the week to £89.97/t.

“The market is very much quality-driven at the moment,” said the BPC’s Rob Burrow.

“Volumes trading at the lower end of the market are very limited, and a lot of growers have having trouble finding an outlet.”

Skin finish has been the main problem, with some producers having to switch from the packing market to less lucrative peeling outlets.

Maris Piper for packing is typically worth £80-85/t, with premiums for the best material. Whites have been averaging £60-80/t, Reds £70-80/t for general pack.

However, peelers start at £20-30/t rising to £45/t, though a few good Piper have been priced at £55/t.