The war in Israel has had a multifaceted impact on the potato market, influencing both local and international prices through several channels:

- Local Agricultural Disruption: The conflict has directly affected potato cultivation in Israel, particularly in the south where a significant portion of the country's potatoes are grown. The area around Gaza, including agricultural lands used for potatoes, has been designated as a security zone, preventing access for harvesting and maintenance. This has led to a decrease in local supply, which naturally pushes prices up due to scarcity.

- Labour Shortages: The movement restrictions and safety concerns have resulted in labour shortages as many Palestinian and Israeli workers are unable to work. This affects not just the current harvest but also the upcoming planting seasons, further impacting potato availability and prices.

- Indirect Effects on Importing Countries: Countries that import potatoes from Israel might experience price fluctuations based on supply disruptions.

Ireland, potatoes and Israel

Imports In 2022, Ireland imported $28.7M in Potatoes, becoming the 43rd largest importer of Potatoes in the world. At the same year, Potatoes was the 410th most imported product in Ireland. Ireland imports Potatoes primarily from: United Kingdom ($20.9M), France ($2.65M), Netherlands ($1.89M), Belgium ($1.07M), and Israel ($460k).

https://oec.world/en/profile/bilateral-product/potatoes/reporter/irl

https://tradingeconomics.com/ireland/imports/israel

Summary

Overall, the war in Israel has introduced a degree of volatility into the potato market, with immediate local effects of reduced supply leading to higher prices, and potential ripple effects on international trade and consumer behaviour contributing to unpredictable price movements. However, as peace talks progress, there's an indication that potato prices might stabilize or decrease, suggesting that market reactions can be swift to both conflict and resolution signals.