Potato stocks fall dramatically on last year

GB potato stocks to the end of January were 21% lower than the same time last year, according to a provisional estimate by the Potato Council.

At 1.6m tonnes, stocks were 1.1m tonnes less than in November – a smaller percentage drop than normal, as packing and processing waste was limited due to high prices and tight supplies, said the report. “Potatoes that in previous years may have been graded out are reaching their intended market.”

However, imports were higher this year, with 27% more potatoes imported between June and January than the year before. “With a significant proportion of the season still to come, the effect of stock levels will depend on a number of factors, including net import levels, effective crop use, the rate of consumption and the selling decisions of growers.”

In the week to 15 March, the Potato Council’s average GB price fell by £7.55/t to £243.88/t. The free-buy average increased by £0.83/t to £319.17/t. “Packers continued to rely on contracted stocks together with some imports, leaving a subdued demand for free-buy supplies,” said the report. “There was more interest in best whites, but increased lower-grade supplies put pressure on prices at the lower end of the range.”

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