Spud market mixed on mediocre stocks

Tuesday, 10 February, 1998

By FWi staff

BULK potato supplies were in greater demand early this week. But the wholesale and bag market remains listless.

Quality bulk potatoes are thin on the ground and buyers are “searching hard,” according to the British Potato Council. Poor stocks are proving hard to shift and buyers are opting for value pack material.

The BPC average weekly price trend has gained 84p over the past week to finish at £79.36/ tonne. But trade remains variable.

Sales of top quality bulk King Edward potatoes are selling well and fetching up to £200/ tonne. Maris Piper are averaging £110/ tonne and Grade II varieties are fetching £70-75/ tonne.

But the bag trade is oversupplied. Prices for Maris Piper are stuck at about £80/ tonne with the best frying stocks selling at about £109/ tonne. Poor quality whites are fetching only £30/ tonne.

The wholesale trade is also slow. Domestic prices remain steady at about £3.15/25kg for reds and £2.75/25kg for whites. Washed samples are making about £3.50/25kg.

On the futures market, prices continue to fall. April contracts are currently trading at £69/ tonne (April) and £84/ tonne (May).