EU seed potato producers are expected to swoop in and increase supplies to Egypt in place of UK exporters that would be at a disadvantage post-Brexit, according to a Rabobank research note. Egypt is the largest importer of seed potatoes, sourcing more than 70% of its yearly seed potato requirements from the Netherlands and the UK. “UK seed potato exporters will not only face a cost price disadvantage versus EU exporters due to a potential rise in import tariffs—an increase in non-tariff trade barriers can also be expected … EU seed potato producers are in the position to increase their market share at the expense of the more expensive post-Brexit UK producers to non-EU countries. However, to what extent EU producers will benefit depends on how fast the UK government will be able to close new trade [agreements] removing tariffs on seed potatoes after leaving the EU.”

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