New potato prices to hold up

By FWi staff

NEW potato prices should hold up well this season, due to a steady supply of material expected on to the market following a severely delayed planting season, according to the British Potato Council.

Total planting last Friday was estimated at 2700ha (6669 acres), compared with 32,000ha (79,040 acres) a year ago.

“Dry weather over the weekend has allowed a bit more progress but things are still well behind and we are heading for the latest season on record,” says the BPCs Rob Burrow.

The slow planting means that harvesting will also be gradual, avoiding the usual flood of potatoes onto the market. “The market will fall less rapidly which will help prices remain fairly stable,” adds Mr Burrow.

Lifting is not expected to start until late April in Cornwall and late May in Pembroke, almost a month behind last year.

Elsewhere, minds are on getting the crop in the ground rather than when it might be harvested, says Mr Burrow.

Meanwhile, Jersey and Brittany have also experienced planting delays, and there are no indications that imports to the UK will increase.

About 80% of the crop in Jersey is in the ground, with planted area expected to fall by about 13%.

“We will see fewer potatoes from Jersey this season, and Brittany is way behind although France is less of a competitor for earlies,” says Mr Burrow.

Supplies from Cyprus are expected to double on last years drought hit harvest, to 40,000t, although this is still lower than in previous seasons.

Total imports to the UK are expected to drop by about 14,000t to about 200,000t compared with last year, predicts Mr Burrow.

“Overall there is no great threat on the horizon from volumes of new potatoes, which adds to the fact that the UK is heading for a strong early market this season,” he adds.