Michigan growers have shipped 6.71 million cwt of chip potatoes since August 1 compared to 6.73 million cwt during the same 27-week period a year earlier. That is down 0.4% from year earlier movement.
Chip potato movement from Wisconsin is up 15.9% from last year’s pace. Reported chip potato shipments from New York and Maine are down 31.8% and 31.2%, respectively. U.S. chip potato movement totaled 27.55 million cwt during the same timeframe. That is 743,000 cwt, or 2.6% below year-earlier movement.
Florida’s 2023 potato crop is in good condition. There have been a few cold snaps, but there has not been any frost so far. Growers in south Florida started planting by mid-December, a few days earlier than usual. Overall, growing conditions have been favorable and the crop is on schedule. Crops in the southern and central growing regions were planted at same time. The central crop mirrors the southern crop as far as crop development. The first potatoes are beginning to emerge in the northern growing areas. Chip potato acreage in the Hastings area is expected to be down again this year.
U.S. packers shipped 1.459 million cwt of table potatoes during the week ending February 4. That is down from 1.589 million cwt shipped a year earlier. Michigan’s reported shipments totaled 64,100 cwt of potatoes during the week ending February 4. That is down from 67,700 cwt during the same week in 2022. Last week’s Michigan shipments were 85.3% russets, 9.1% yellow potatoes, and 3.6% round white potatoes.
USDA reports that Michigan packers are selling size A russets in 10-pound bags for $16-$17 per 50-pound bale, unchanged from last week. Wisconsin packers are selling size A russet potatoes in 10-pound bags for mostly $14-$15 per 50-pound bale, unchanged from a week ago. They are selling russet 40-70 count cartons for mostly $26-$32 per 50-pound box, also unchanged. The weighted average shipping point price for Idaho Russet Norkotahs is $35.77 per cwt. That is down from $35.96 per cwt a week ago.
Red River Valley packers are selling size A yellow potatoes in 2000# tote bags for mostly $25-$26 per cwt, unchanged from a week ago. They are selling yellow creamers in 50-pound sacks for mostly $30-$32, also unchanged.
– Report by North American Potato Market News