High rot levels hit spuds

By FWi staff

HIGH volumes of suspect material being offered are continuing to put pressure on the UK potato market.

Apart from the wide range of non disease-related faults, incidents of rotting and breakdown are also increasing “to higher levels than I can remember in 20 years,” said one grower, noted the British Potato Council in its price report.

Bulk grade 1 material continues to be in strong demand with the majority selling between £60-£90/t.

Best Cara and similar are £60-£90/t, Piper between £100-£115/t and Edward £90-£100/t, noted the BPC. However, sales of grade 2 are slow, ranging from £20-£50/t.

The bag trade is also sluggish and lower-quality samples are difficult to sell.

Better quality is moving. Piper is trading from £40/t with most between £50-£60/t, with top material at £70-£100/t. There are reports that in East Anglia values for Piper have now reached £100/t.

The BPC weekly GB ex-farm average eased 67p over the week to £66.40/t, including £6.60 bags. This compares with £157.87/t in 1998.