Overall, consumption and demand for potato products in Ireland, the United Kingdom and continental Europe have improved recently following the return of cooler weather conditions, the Dublin-based Irish Farmers Association (IFA) reported on August 4.
The foodservice sector and the peeling trade continue to pick up as more people are allowed to dine at indoor establishments with the easing of coronavirus pandemic restrictions.
The price of peeling material was in the range of €180-€200 per ton last week. The early market is holding quite well and lifting continues along the East Coast of Ireland, however, reports have been received that tuber numbers are down. A blight warning remains in place for southern counties.
In the UK agronomists are becoming more conservative with their yield predictions for the new crop. Main crops generally look full of growth, but May plantings still have much to do if they are to realize their potential.
Estimates put the area damaged by the storms several weeks ago in Belgium, Holland and Germany at around 20,000 hectares. A full assessment can only be made once the crop reaches maturity, but blight is widespread and tuber quality and yields are very likely to have suffered, according to the IFA.
Meanwhile, COPA-COGECA, the EU farmers and agri-cooperative association, has warned that the severe flooding and soil erosion in Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria and Luxembourg has caused a “perturbation to economic activities throughout the agricultural sector.”
A statement issued by the association, which appealed for financial aid from the European Commission, said: “The recent climatic impact of floods across Western Europe highlights not only the need for better support, but also calls for the necessary resources to properly deal with such issues, as the ravaging floods…caused detrimental losses across many lands, affecting agricultural crops and families.”
EU Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski has voiced his “full solidarity” with member states affected by the flooding, which has been attributed to the deaths of up to 200 people.
“We are in contact with member states so that there can be concrete support for farmers affected by this disaster,” he said.
