24 May 2021
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Market intelligence reports to cease
FOLLOWING discussion with the Potato Market Intelligence Working Group last week, AHDB Market Intelligence provision of potato price information will cease on Friday, July 2nd and its final Weekly Average Price Survey (WAPS) will be published on June 29th.
Retail and consumer insight data will no longer be published by AHDB for the potato sector and there will be no lifting reports for 2021 main-crop lifting. AHDB will also disband the Grower Panel and no longer publish area, production and stocks statistics, it has been announced.
The announcement was made in the latest market data report from the AHDB's latest market intelligence report, which revealed that over the past week free-buy trade in the UK has been reportedly mixed. Though for most, the consensus remains that free-buy demand has been lacklustre.
Potato markets are yet to see large benefits from last Monday’s reopening of indoor hospitality. However as we head towards June, hope remains for improved weather to boost demand.
Quality remains crucial in free-buy markets, with tightening supply of top-quality material for sought after varieties.
A ballot to decide the future of the AHDB potato levy recently concluded and the voting report was passed to Ministers for a decision on what happens next.
AHDB subsequently announced that it was winding down significant activities on behalf of the horticulture and potatoes sectors while still awaiting a decision on the future by Ministers in England, Scotland and Wales.
"AHDB is now stopping programmes of work that could be restarted in the future by grower associations, individual growers or the supply chain. This work includes for example, export market access and promotional international trade event work, consumer marketing campaigns and market pricing and insight information," the statement read. "AHDB will continue to deliver limited emergency work on pests and diseases, including the Extension of Authorisation for Minor Use (EAMU)’s and some contracted research work. This limited work will be continued in the interim as it would be difficult to restart and would be detrimental to the industry to stop whilst a managed transition or a different funding mechanism is considered as part of any Ministerial decision on the future."
