Recently we have had a number of questions about whether or not the awful wet weather will affect the coming potato growing season. The only real answer is that it is too early to tell, but I will pass on thoughts from the farming fraternity.

As you all know, the worst weather has been in the South West which means that the growers of early potatoes will be late with their planting. This might mean that new potatoes will be in short supply in the early part of the summer which, in turn, might push prices to high levels. I think it is unlikely that this will affect the prices of the 2013 crop which we use throughout the early part of the summer. On the assumption that the early growers finally get planting, there might be a surplus ready all at once later in the spring and early summer so reversing the price trend of the new crop.

The 2014 main crop will not be greatly affected unless the wet weather continues late into spring. There will, however, be some of the heavier land planted late simply because the land will take a long time to dry out.  As far as I understand it, a large part of the flooded land is not in traditional main crop potato growing areas.

With regard to the current market for the 2013 crop, sales of fresh potatoes have not returned to normal levels following last year’s high prices which caused sales to reduce. This dull demand seems to be reducing confidence and now growers are releasing stock onto the market whereas before Christmas they seemed reluctant to do so. The result is that prices have eased for average quality samples and particularly for the smaller potatoes. The only stocks which are maintaining higher prices are ones with reasonable quantities of bakers. This year size is important!

Most stock holders and merchants seem to think that this situation will continue unless a very late spring changes the outlook and we need to remember that there is still plenty of time for a cold spell.  It is likely that bold samples with plenty of bakers will become more difficult to source as the spring and summer progresses which might push prices for these stocks higher as we move into summer. Let’s hope the weather improves soon, especially for those unfortunates who are still flooded.

Rob Bannister