Euro Potato: Early Potato Crops in Europe

Throughout Northern Europe early potato growers and traders, as well as new crop importers and exporters, are looking with interest at markets ahead. Most though remain uncertain regarding the likely availability of supplies and prices.

• Greater wastage in stored maincrop potatoes continue to be reported all around Northern Europe, although stocks remain high. Nevertheless there is still uncertainty regarding how many usable stocks will be available for an expected extension to late season marketing.
• Cold wet weather has delayed early crop planting in Northern Europe.
• In many Mediterranean countries prolonged rain has restricted and slowed planting.
• Crop development, due to cold temperatures, has also been delayed everywhere.
• In the Middle East and North Africa lower plantings and slow export movement continues, particularly in Egypt and Israel.

These, together with the late Spring and uncertainties during the final months of 2009 trading, could yet have an influence on early crop markets during April, May, June and July.

This report looks at the developments by individual country and coverage includes Majorca, Spain, France, Germany, Egypt, Cyprus, Jersey and Israel