Industry News - wk ending 17 Jun '22
Potato News - North America
Study: Potato Packing Costs Soar
The cost of packing Idaho’s most famous commodity, potatoes, has risen at least 36 percent over the past two years.
Tight Potato Supplies May Lead To August Gap
A crop update from Markon Cooperative BB #:123315 this week said, “Burbanks will be the sole variety on the market until new crop Norkotahs become available in August. Prices are up as suppliers continue to work to extend remaining stocks. All counts will remain limited until new crop production begins. Some suppliers do foresee a potential 7-14 day gap in early August.”
Potato News - Overseas
European Potato Processing Factories in Full Swing
The Irish Farmers’ Association experts recently wrote in their regular report that across Europe, the potato processing factories worked “like never before” in May, and growers with excess to contract still left in store are hoping that buyers will need to come back to the market in June.
Stress factors could increase risk of early blight
Stress factors set to hit potato crops over the coming weeks could increase the risk of Alternaria (early blight) outbreaks, warns Syngenta Technical Manager in the UK, Andy Cunningham. Many British crops are still suffering the adverse effects of exceptionally low rainfall this spring, while the hugely inflated cost of fertiliser has seen potato growers cut back nutritional inputs to the bare minimum.
Potato growers in Ireland urged to order seed now for 2023 – or take a huge risk
Brexit could lead to a significant shortage of potatoes for Irish consumers by 2023, experts have warned. It makes sense for potato growers to contact seed producers now to organise fresh seed for the 2023 season, as the Brexit impasse shows no sign of easing.
Serbia faces potato shortage and soaring prices
The price of potatoes in Serbia rose 193% since 2021 due to last year’s drought and large-scale imports, which discouraged domestic production, Guča-based Agro-Mobile company director Ratko Vukićević said on Tuesday.
Logistics News
Container prices jumped in May for first time in 2022
Under pressure from congestion at freight ports and depots worldwide, global average container prices increased in May for the first time in 2022, according to logistics technology provider Container xChange.
Diesel Hits New Record at $5.718 a Gallon
The national average price for a gallon of diesel reached a record high this week at $5.718 a gallon, according to data released by the Energy Information Administration June 13.
National diesel average, for week of June 13, hits another record-high
The national average for the national average price per gallon of diesel gasoline came in at $5.718 per gallon, according to data published this week by the Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA).
Food Industry News
The FAO Food Price Index fell for the second consecutive month in May
The FAO Food Price Index* (FFPI) averaged 157.4 points in May 2022, down 0.9 points (0.6 percent) from April, marking the second consecutive monthly decline, though still 29.2 points (22.8 percent) above its value in the corresponding month last year.
State of the Industry 2022: Bakery faces formidable challenges
In 2022, the baking industry continues to face formidable and ongoing challenges related to the supply chain, workforce development, and an inflationary economy—all compounded by complications introduced by the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Oat market outlook: ‘I’ve never seen anything like this’
Soaring global demand coupled with devastating drought leading to record low 2021-22 ending stocks in Canada and the United States has created an exceptional situation for oats and oat products markets.
USDA sees lower US sugar supplies
The US Department of Agriculture in its June 10 World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report lowered from May its forecast for 2021-22 and 2022-23 US sugar production, reducing ending stocks and indicating tighter sugar supplies.