Ireland: potato demand retail soars, food service drops

With the COVID-19 situation developing over the past week demand across all sectors has been mixed. Demand from retailers this week has soared and is reportedly as high as the Christmas period when trade normally peaks. The food service industry is experiencing a hit due to deceased footfall and closures.

Should the situation escalate this will more than likely be exacerbated. Meanwhile plantings continue this week across the country as conditions have improved slightly. Once again growers are reminded to rethink their growing strategy and plant for their markets.
 

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Ex-Farm Potato Prices reported to IFA

In Europe there are rumours which suggest that cold storage space for product is becoming tight and that containers are hard to obtain because there is no export of goods from China. The fresh potato market is holding 'just about' although export demand remains disappointing with the only interest coming from Eastern Europe.

Plantings have continued this week in the United Kingdom but at a slower rate than anticipated due to heavy showers, however the forecast for next week is encouraging. Retail sales have also increased due to the current situation and the food service sector is experiencing a hit.