Euro Potato: Wintry weather affects european potato markets

The start of 2010 brought wintry conditions across Northern Europe. As a result, potato markets in all the Northwest European Potato Growers (NEPG) 5 countries, firmed during early January.

Supplies tightened as many growers were reluctant to open store doors during the coldest periods of weather. Demand from processors increased and, despite heavy usage of contracted stock, free market interest became stronger.

Higher prices though failed to hold as growers re-started efforts to sell stocks from mid January,particularly those of suspect keeping quality. Export movement, which was expected to increase,particularly to Eastern Europe, has still not materialised to any great extent. New crop imports are also starting to appear in many northern countries. Pressure on markets is therefore increasing with prices becoming difficult to maintain.

This report looks across Northern Europe at the effects of the severe winter weather on trading at the start of the year, as well as developments following the thaw. It also includes an update from early potato exporting countries, as first 2009/10 crops arrive on GB and Continental markets.