Chip potato movement remains slow. Rain and cold temperatures have delayed planting in Southern Michigan for the past 10 days. Similarly, Ohio and Indiana have been hit with severe storms and flooding. Growers in those states had started planting, but the condition of those potatoes remains to be seen.
North Carolina’s potato crop is in the ground. Florida’s chip potato crop is early and in excellent condition. Contracts for the 2025 storage potato crop are wrapping up.
The U.S. exported 5.31 million cwt of potatoes and potato products (raw product equivalent) during February. That is 944,000 cwt, or 15.1%, less than year-earlier sales. It is the smallest export volume for the month since 2013. In contrast, exports exceeded year-earlier shipments by 7.4% in January, and 8.4% in December. February exports dropped in each category, compared to 2024.
Fresh potato shipments fell by 21.9%. Fresh exports to Mexico dropped 39.6% below last year’s record-large volume. On the other hand, shipments to Canada rose 39.4% above last year’s reduced exports.
Frozen product exports fell by 8.8%. French fry sales to Japan were down 9.4%, while exports to Mexico dropped by 24.0%.
Dehydrated product and potato chip exports fell by 21.7%, and 19.2%, respectively. The value of potato exports totaled $165.39 million during February. That is $23.16 million less than the value of February 2024 exports. However, the value of February potato imports exceeded the value of exports by $84.31 million.
U.S. packers shipped 1.683 million cwt of table potatoes during the week ending April 5. That is down slightly from 1.686 million cwt shipped a year earlier. Michigan packers shipped 54,024 cwt during the week ending April 5. That is down from 82,391 cwt shipped during the same week in 2024. Last week’s reported Michigan shipments were 89.5% russets, 6.7% yellow potatoes, and 3.8% round white potatoes.
The USDA reports that Michigan packers are selling size A russets in 10-pound bags for $10-$11 per 50-pound bale, unchanged from last week. They are selling size A russets in 5-pound bags for $11-$12 per 50-pound bale, also unchanged. Wisconsin packers are selling size A russet potatoes in 10-pound bags for $9-$11 per 50-pound bale, unchanged from a week ago. They are selling russet 40-70 count cartons for $13.50-$15 per 50-pound box, also unchanged. The weighted average shipping point price for Idaho Russet Norkotahs is $14.51 per cwt, unchanged from the previous week.
Red River Valley packers are selling size A yellow potatoes in 2,000-pound tote bags for mostly $20-$21 per cwt, unchanged from last week. They are selling yellow creamers for mostly $28-$30 per 50-pound carton, also unchanged. Florida packers are selling 50-pound cartons of size A yellow potatoes for $25.70-$26.25 per box, unchanged from a week ago. They are also selling yellow creamers in 50-pound cartons for $40.25-$40.95 per box, also unchanged.
Florida packers are selling 50-pound cartons of size A round white potatoes for $32-$33.70 per box, down from $32.00-$34.75 per box a week ago. They are selling 50-pound cartons of size B round white potatoes for $21.70-$23.70 per box, unchanged from last week.
– Report by North American Potato Market News