Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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All potato growing areas in Europe have been impacted by the challenging weather conditions of 2023 and into 2024 which has resulted in ongoing tight stock across Europe and high prices on saleable yield.

The colder, wetter weather in Ireland during the summer months last year resulted in unseasonably high demand and prices for potatoes during these months. In Ireland, current price reports are upwards of 57% greater compared with this time last year. These high prices have remained steady into April. Eurostat confirmed that in 2023 there was a modest increase in the average price of agricultural goods in general in 2023, with significant price increases noted for potatoes including seed of 23%. Concurrently, in terms of input costs, with the exception of the cost of plant protection products and pesticides, Eurostat reported that the average price of inputs decreased by 5%.

The adverse weather of 2023 impacted growers to differing extents around the country with a very wide variation in unharvested areas across the country. It was estimated at the end of February that less than 3.6% of the overall planted area remained in the ground and at the time it was understood that where possible harvest would continue.

On balance based on all the information available, the potato sector has remained relatively strong throughout 2023 and into 2024 despite the challenges posed by the weather during this time. While my officials will continue to monitor the situation it is not currently possible to consider compensation for growers for unharvested potato crop.