Price monitoring service Mintec has reported that on 16 April its benchmark price for English white potatoes hit an all-time high of £570/MT, marking a 90% year-on-year increase in value.
At the time the company added that market sources anticipate a continued upward price trend due to tightening supply in the coming months. Meanwhile, Maris Piper potatoes are priced at £610/MT, reflecting a 144% rise on the previous year. However, reported trade for Maris Piper remained minimal across the UK due to limited availability. ‘Market players speculate that the price of white potatoes may surpass the Maris Piper price before the 2024 harvest, with growers holding back stocks in anticipation of further price hikes,’ said Mintec.
The company added that import activity into the UK persists, with ongoing shipments entering the UK from the EU, Israel, and Egypt. This follows the decision by some supermarkets to remove the Union Jack from packaging. Market sources indicate that white potato imports are priced between £520/MT and £600/MT, with the variance attributed to quality differentials.
Planting operations are underway in regions of England, predominantly on lighter soils. However, as of mid-April Scotland had yet to commence planting activities, and industry sources point out that further delays would be likely to impact the timing of the 2024 harvest.