Potato Markets Weekly

摘要

The attraction of growing beet for ethanol is said to be a major factor behind this year's decision by French growers to cut ware ('conservation') potato plantings by almost 2%. On the basis of five-year average yields, the French ware harvest would be 2.9% smaller than in 2005. The Hanover April 2007 processing contract has revived today, closing at 136/tonne EUR on a volume of 133 contracts. There has been little change in the Hanover London price. Early potato markets remain buoyant, and processors are becoming increasingly anxious over delivery dates of the first crops suitable for processing. Spanish ex farm prices continued to rise during the week to June 11, contrary to the usual seasonal trend, and France has been exporting record volumes ofpotatoes to Spain. Old crop prices have surged up in the Netherlands, helped by renewed exports, and the Belgian quotation has also risen by EUR 20/tonne. But the British old crop market remains contrary, falling at the tail end of the season. Israel has profited from its potato exports this season but has been diverting more supplies away from the UK, where prices have been less attractive due strong competition among the multiple retailers. Dutch ware trade figures for May were disappointing, showing a deficit of 9 000t for the month. In this issue we report on the US controversy over the use of trans fats by fast food outlets and on the UK's Competition Commission investigation into the supermarket sector.