The potential impact of trade disruptions and policy decisions have increased market uncertainty this week. At least for now, the implementation of trade tariffs with Mexico and Canada appears to have been delayed for a month. Reports indicate that potatoes were not on the list for new tariffs. Nevertheless, fresh potato trade is important to each of the countries. The U.S. imported approximately 10.1 million cwt of fresh potatoes (table, chip, and processing potatoes) from Canada during the year ending Nov. 30, 2024, down 20% from the previous year. On the other hand, the U.S. exported 12.2 million cwt of fresh potatoes during the same 12-month period, down 2% from a year earlier. Fresh shipments to Mexico are up 45%, while sales to Canada are down 44%.
At 4.53 million cwt, January U.S. chip potato shipments fell 188,000 cwt short of 2024 movement, a 4.0% decline. Michigan and Wisconsin chip potato shipments for the month were down 10.7% and 17.2%, respectively. Shipments from the West Coast region fell 1.0% below year-earlier movement. Chipstock movement from the Red River Valley nearly matched last year’s pace. Maine and New York shipped fewer chip potatoes during January 2025 than they did a year earlier. Movement typically slows down after the Super Bowl.
U.S. packers shipped 1.684 million cwt of table potatoes during the week ending Feb. 1. That is up from 1.646 million cwt shipped a year earlier. Michigan packers shipped 51,109 cwt during the week ending Feb. 1. That is down from 58,830 cwt shipped during the same week in 2024. Last week’s Michigan shipments were 90.6% russets, 5.9% round white potatoes, and 3.5% yellow 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-$10 per 50-pound bale, unchanged from a week ago. They are selling russet 40-70 count cartons for mostly $12-$13 per 50-pound box, also unchanged. The weighted average shipping point price for Idaho Russet Norkotahs is $16.52 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 $18-$20 per cwt, unchanged from a week ago. They are selling yellow creamers for mostly $26-$28 per 50-pound carton, also unchanged.
– Report by North American Potato Market News