Potato growers feeling the pinch

POTATO growers are being squeezed, with up to 80% of the consumer price disappearing outside the farm gate, it was claimed at the Teagasc-Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) national potato conference in Dublin yesterday.

IFA president Pádraig Walshe said while the price of potatoes in shops and supermarkets has not really changed much since last year, the grower’s price is €150 per tonne behind last year’s price.

He said 2008 is the International Year of the Potato but unless prices are increased by at least €150 per tonne, there will not be a crop in Ireland to celebrate.