Euro Potato: Early Potato Crop developments;Maincrop Market roundup

Heavy rain and frequent frost during the winter in most Mediterranean, Northern European and Middle Eastern countries has had a large effect on early potato production.

Imports to European markets are later and lighter in volume than in most recent seasons:

• Production in Israel is estimated to be 30% lower
• Pantings in Spain are 50% down compared with 2009.
• The Cyprus Spring crop was damaged by flooding and frost with an estimated 30% drop in yield.
• Cold weather has also delayed deliveries from Jersey.

This report looks at early crop development in the main GB importing countries, as well a roundup of maincrop markets across Northern Europe as the 2009/10 season draws to a close.