Monday 2 April 2012
2011 Crop Weekly Average
Price Survey (WAPS)
The GB Weekly Average for
the week to 30 March is
£117.29/t (€140.65/t). The
same week in 2011 was
£181.32/t when the trend
was ▼
The Free Market Average
for the week to 30 March is
£93.00/t (€111.52/t). The
same week in 2011 was
£193.09/t when the trend
was ▼
Fresh in tonnes
(June to December)
* Latest UK data published by HM
Revenue & Customs in Feb 2012.
WORLD POTATO
CONGRESS
27-30 May 2012
Edinburgh, Scotland
The global event for the
potato industry
www.wpc2012.net
POTATO MARKETS AT A GLANCE
GB Weekly Average Prices - (£/t)
GB Weekly Average Price, 2011 Crop
(% change)
GB Weekly Free-buy Price, 2011 Crop
(% change)
Futures Market Price - (£/t)
Eurex Futures European Proc (For Apr ‘12)
09 Mar
117.09
3.1%
95.46
4.2%
16 Mar
117.66
0.5%
95.95
0.5%
23 Mar
119.80
1.8%
95.85
-0.1%
30 Mar
117.29
-2.1%
93.00
-2.9%
Trend
42.63
37.33
36.80
35.86
▼
The Netherlands (Proc 40mm+ Maincrop Source VTA)
33-44
31-44
31-44
31-44
►
Germany (Proc 35mm+ Source REKA)
France (Proc 35mm+ Bintje Source SNM/UNPT)
Belgium (Proc 35mm+ Bintje Source Fiwap/PCA)
Belgium (35mm+ Belgapom Bintje Average)
33-38
29
28-31
27
29-33
25
24-27
23
27-33
25
20-25
21
27-33
21
20-25
21
►
▼
▼
▼
NEPG European Price Comparison - (£/t)
►
►
The GB weekly average price decreased by £2.51/t to £117.29/t and the free-market
average fell by £2.85/t to £93.00/t.
2011 CROP - PACKING MARKET (Prices free market ex farm £/t)
Demand was generally slow but steady, although the warm weather increased
movement of salads. Interest centred on best whites with some price increases within
existing ranges. In contrast, general pack prices were steady with supplies plentiful.
Salads: M Peer graded 35 x 40mm continued to move at £330/t and 45mm down
were £300/t. Charlotte 45mm down was £330/t with a small amount graded at 30 x
35mm £300/t.
GB ex farm free market prices (£/t) - 2011 crop
Reds: Light supplies of Desiree were
Packing
w/e 30/03
w/e 23/03
adequate for a quiet demand. Prices
Main
Low Main High Low Main High
Grade 1
Trend
for grade 1 supplies were up a little
M Piper
125 145 200 110 135
200
▲
and were in a wide range from £130/t
K Edward
115 145 150 115 135
150
▲
to £170/t, but mainly moved at around Desiree
130 150 170 125 145
160
▲
£150/t. Some grade 1 Mozart was
Estima
75 85 100 75
85
100
►
£140-£160/t. General pack, mainly
Secondary
Main
Low Main High Low Main High
comprised of Desiree, moved at £90/t. Pack
Trend
K Edwards: Grade 1 supplies were
M Piper
50 100 120 65 110
120
▼
limited but prices were unchanged
Estima
40 70
90
40
75
90
▼
from £115/t, with the main movement
Bags
w/e 23/03
General Ware/
Main
at £135-£150/t.
Low Main High Low Main High
Trend
M Piper: There was a firm demand for Frying
M Piper (frying) 75 110 140 80 110
140
►
best supplies which mainly sold at
Markies
(frying)
80
115
160
80
115
160
►
£140-£150/t. However, there continue
Cabaret (frying) 100 120 140 90 120
140
►
to be variances associated with quality
Wilja (ware)
80 95 120 80
95
120
►
with prices from £125/t up to £200/t for
Estima
(ware)
40
65
85
50
75
85
▼
an exceptional sample in the East.
General pack stocks were £80-£120/t,
with value pack £60-£65/t.
Whites: Grade 1 samples which included Melody, Estima, Saxon and Harmony were
mainly £75-£90/t with the odd £100/t for the very best. General pack supplies on offer
increased with prices unchanged at £60-£70/t, and value pack was £45-£60/t.
Bakers (65mm+): Demand for best Estima was steady and prices were unchanged
at £120/t, with the odd £130/t for a few on repeat order.
In Wales: Contracted stocks accounted for most movement supplemented with some
free-buy Carlingford and L Christl for split grading increased in price to £215-£220/t.
In Scotland: Best M Piper was £125-£140/t. Other whites of general pack quality
were in a range of £65-£70/t. Value pack samples were £30-£40/t with M Piper at
£50/t.
Page 2 of 2
2011 CROP- BAG MARKET (Prices free market ex farm £/t)
Demand remained slow with ample supplies of average quality samples on offer, but interest remained
focussed on the best. Some stocks with fry colour problems were difficult to move.
CHIPPING: In the West limited supplies of Markies were £100/t with the odd exceptional sample up to £120/t
on repeat order. M Piper was mainly £80-85/t, up to £100/t for the best. In the East M Piper was in a wide
range of £80-£120/t depending on quality, up to £140/t for the best. Markies, Cabaret and Challenger were
mainly £100-£140/t, up to £160/t and limited Agria were up to £170/t. In the South M Piper, Challenger and
Markies were £80-£100/t. In Scotland M Piper and Markies sold at £80-£85/t.
WARE: In the West Wilja sold mainly at £80-£95/t with exceptional samples up to £120/t on repeat order.
Demand was slow for other whites priced at £60/t. In the East whites were £80-£90/t up to £100/t for Wilja and
limestone samples were £90-£110/t. Desiree was £95-£100/t. In the South Estima, Melody and Saxon were
mainly £50-£80/t. In Scotland best Estima was £85/t, Wilja £80/t, and Saxon £65-£75/t.
WASHED: A slow demand with unchanged prices. Harmony was £120/t and Mozart £200/t.
2011 CROP - PROCESSING MARKET (Prices free market ex farm £/t)
CHIPPING: Heavy loading of contracted stocks limited free-buy demand. Good M Piper was £70-£75/t with
odd Markies £70-£80/t. Little interest in poorer quality M Piper and some Estima with acceptable dry matters
both £50/t. PEELING: M Piper and Estima were generally £30-£45/t.
2011 CROP - EXPORT (Prices free market ex farm £/t)
To Ireland steady movement of Eastern Counties Markies and M Piper in 25kg bags for frying priced mainly at
£120-£130/t. To the Canaries demand continued to ease as more of their own crop became available. K
Edwards were £80-£100/t, Ambo and Picasso £65-£75/t and some frying Elgar at £100/t.
STORAGE AND PLANTING PROGRESS
Total plantings up to 30 March are estimated at 32,180ha, compared to 31,700ha last year and 15,000ha in
2010.
2011 Crop: Cold stored stocks continue to keep in good condition although there are some skin finish issues.
Quality continues to deteriorate in ambient stores with warm temperatures aggravating sprouting.
2012 Crop: In the East planting activities varied but many growers made excellent progress in good soil
conditions while some were awaiting seed deliveries and very heavy land was still difficult to work. In the West
planting is progressing extremely well in perfect conditions although there are some hold ups as growers await
seed. Planting has started in Herefordshire. Growing conditions are good and there is further emergence in
early planted fields in Cheshire, Pembrokeshire and on Anglesey where the most forward crops are now
marking the rows and some of the covers have been removed. In the South planting is going well in all areas.
In Cornwall further early crops are being uncovered with the most advanced meeting in the row and almost
touching between the rows. Possible first token lifting is predicted for mid-April, although some token lifting out
of tunnels is already taking place. Some early crops in the South East
Wholesale Market (w/e 30/03/12)
have been uncovered despite concerns about potential damage from late
Main London markets
frosts. In Scotland the unseasonably warm weather had encouraged
Imports
Prices
more growers to start planting in the good conditions. Planting of earlies
in Ayrshire neared completion and covered crops of Casablanca and
Cyprus Spunta
1250, mainly
Medium/Bold (20kg)
1300
Epicure were fully emerged. Planting of ware crops took place in East
Lothian, Borders, Fife, Perthshire and Angus with a start to seed
Cyprus Maris Peer Washed
crops in North East Scotland but most growers would not start until later
670-680
Smalls (10kg)
this month.
WHOLESALE MARKETS 2011 CROP
Ware: K Edwards are mainly £5.50 with the odd £6.00. Ambo £5.00£5.50 and washed Reds £5.50-£6.00. Whites £3.00-£4.50, with washed
samples at £3.50-£5.00, with the odd £6.00-£6.50 for the best. M
Piper were £4.00-£5.00, with washed samples up to £5.50 for 25kg.
Bakers: Counts of 40s £3.80-£4.50, with an odd £5.50-£6.00, counts of
50s were £3.50-£4.00, with an odd £5.00 for the best. Counts of
60s were £3.00-£3.80, with an odd £4.50, all in 15kg boxes.
Imports: See table. For more details go to: http://www.potato.org.uk/
French Agata Washed
Smalls (10kg)
650
Jersey Royal (ex glasshouse) Smalls (6kg)
2600
Jersey Royal (ex glasshouse) Ware (6kg)
1950
Israeli Nicola Washed
Smalls (10kg)
650-700
Israeli Maris Peer Unwashed
Medium/Small (10kg)
660-680
Disclaimer: While the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, operating through its Potato Council division, seeks to ensure that the information contained within
this document is accurate at the time of printing, no warranty is given in respect thereof and, to the maximum extent permitted by law, the Agriculture and
Horticulture Development Board accepts no liability for loss, damage or injury howsoever caused (including that caused by negligence) or suffered directly or indirectly in
relation to information and opinions contained in or omitted from this document.
Further information phone 02476 692 051 or email: [email protected] Copyright © 2012 Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board.