Sticky Continental harvest can boost spud prices
By FWi staff
ABYSMAL potato harvesting conditions on the Continent could lead to a price boost for British producers, predicts the British Potato Council.
April futures on the Amsterdam market rocketed up 90/t to 193/t over the last week, although historically the link between potato futures prices and ex-farm values is not as strong as for the cereals market.
However, ex-farm values in Holland and Germany are already increasing which is unusual during harvest.
The average value of the Dutch new crop is 71-77/t, a rise of almost 10/t on the week.
UK prices, however, continue to fall as producers with lack of storage space or cashflow requirements are forced to sell. Ex-farm the average price is just under 79/t, a drop of 3/t.
London futures contracts for April also surged strongly, gaining 29/t to finish the week at 135/t.
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