Irish growers are putting main crop potatoes into store for the first time this season, after lifting earlier crops for direct retail and processing, Agriland reports.
"There will be a wide range of yields this year," said Teagasc tillage specialist Shay Phelan, adding that the picture will be clearer once trial digs are assessed in the coming days. The drought is the overriding factor, but soil type, location and especially access to irrigation have made a real difference. "Overall, the quality of new season potatoes is holding up well," he said.
Market pressure is growing for salad and chipping potatoes, varieties increasingly grown in Ireland although the market still relies heavily on imports, Phelan said. Harvest conditions remain excellent despite heavy rain in places, and high pressure forecast for the coming days should help growers lift crops before the weather breaks.
Costs dominate growers' discussions: land rents, fertiliser, fuel, machinery and labour have all risen, with diesel a particular concern during harvest. The Irish Farmers' Association says consumption and retail sales remain stable, with cost-of-living pressure leading shoppers to buy smaller packs more often, and demand for new-season potatoes is good.
Photo: David Wright / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Source: Agriland
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