Spud prices still strengthening


By Olivia Cooper


POTATO prices continue to strengthen, as secondary material coming on to the market begins to slow, and purchasers chase good-quality produce.


The British Potato Council spot average price improved by 3.48/t last week, to 86.96/t – almost 2/t above the weekly average price including contracts.


Although pre-Christmas demand is not as strong as anticipated, movement has picked up, particularly in the bagging sector.


Poor quality King Edwards are worth 70/t bagged, with the best fetching up to 170/t in eastern and western central regions.


Processors are taking in good volumes of free-buy potatoes, although top quality Desiree and Maris Piper are in short supply, pushing prices up to 130-200/t in southern England.


Quality problems still abound in ambient stores, with sprouting, rotting, shady greening, black dot and silver scurf the main culprits.


Meanwhile, perfect conditions have allowed some planting to go ahead in Cornwall.


But after a bad season for crisping contracts, very few growers have made commitments as yet.

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