Potato volumes up 33% on last year

In the week ending April 12th 2020 fresh potato volumes were up 33% on the same week last year, equating to an additional 6,700 tonnes of potatoes sold in a week, according to the latest AHDB Weekly Average Price Survey (WAPS).

Growth has slowed from its peak of 65% in the week ending March 22nd, but remains significantly elevated. 

Frozen potato product volume sales were up 13% on the same week last year, adding an additional 1.2k tonnes. 
The AHDB Weekly Average Price Survey (WAPS) is a survey which produces indicators of the week on week direction of ex-farm prices, collected via a sample of purchasing companies, including grower groups.

The survey also reveals a decline in the overall average price of potatoes, pressured from a lower free-buy price.

There was a slight increase in the contract price this week, with higher value varieties moving. Overall prices have seen continued pressure from the closure of food service industry several weeks ago. In the overall price there was a higher proportion of lower value varieties captured, which pressured the overall price down this week.

Overall tonnage fell significantly, down 14% from the previous week. The size of the sample is the smallest it has been this season so far, highlighting the impact of coronavirus currently, particularly on the food service aspect of the potato industry.