+33 680 38 14 46
Potatoes to command a premium as yields plummet
United Kingdom
Wednesday 11 June 2008
The number of potato producers in Scotland has declined dramatically in recent years, but for those still in the market it could be a profitable year,according to the latest bulletin from the Potato Council of Great Britain.
Supplies of old crop are fast running out, and prices for remaining stocks have increased over the past two weeks. White varieties in Scotland are being traded at about 350 EUR per ton, with exceptional samples suitable for baking making as much as 380 EUR per ton.
Planting of the new crop was protracted during what proved to be one of the most difficult spring seasons for many years. Crops were still be planted in the English Midlands as late as the end of last week. Tuber numbers are expected to be lower than average and this will inevitably impact on final crop yields.
In Yorkshire the earliest of the variety Maris Bard are expected to be lifted for the packing market this week.
Early indications suggest that the overall average yield will be 18 tons per hectare, way down on the 24 tons of a year ago.
In Scotland the production of early potatoes is concentrated in south Ayrshire and Wigtownshire. Relatively few have been lifted so far, but the best samples have been selling for up to 520 EUR per ton with yields a moderate 15 tons per hectare. This sort of price will not last for long, as imports from Jersey, Cyprus, Egypt and Italy becoming available.
The latest data reveals that as from 1 August 2007 to 1 June 2008 the UK imported 231,117 tons of ware (eating) potatoes, double the 115,550 tons in the previous season.
Supplies of old crop are fast running out, and prices for remaining stocks have increased over the past two weeks. White varieties in Scotland are being traded at about 350 EUR per ton, with exceptional samples suitable for baking making as much as 380 EUR per ton.
Planting of the new crop was protracted during what proved to be one of the most difficult spring seasons for many years. Crops were still be planted in the English Midlands as late as the end of last week. Tuber numbers are expected to be lower than average and this will inevitably impact on final crop yields.
In Yorkshire the earliest of the variety Maris Bard are expected to be lifted for the packing market this week.
Early indications suggest that the overall average yield will be 18 tons per hectare, way down on the 24 tons of a year ago.
In Scotland the production of early potatoes is concentrated in south Ayrshire and Wigtownshire. Relatively few have been lifted so far, but the best samples have been selling for up to 520 EUR per ton with yields a moderate 15 tons per hectare. This sort of price will not last for long, as imports from Jersey, Cyprus, Egypt and Italy becoming available.
The latest data reveals that as from 1 August 2007 to 1 June 2008 the UK imported 231,117 tons of ware (eating) potatoes, double the 115,550 tons in the previous season.
