Freezing temperatures hit north Florida late last week. Reports indicate some fields did receive frost, though the damage was not widespread. Early planted potatoes in the area are only about 5-6 inches high. Cool weather during January slowed crop development, which was an advantage this year. Potatoes are at an early enough stage that they should be able to bounce back from frost damage, though it could set them back 8-10 days. Growers typically cover potatoes when there is a threat of frost, but many fields were too muddy. The area received about four inches of rain a few days before the temperature dropped. The long-term forecast is for warmer weather and favorable growing conditions during the next several weeks.
The cold weather will likely help Michigan growers control volunteers. Mild winters, during the past two years, have increased pest and disease pressure caused by volunteer potatoes.
U.S. packers shipped 1.892 million cwt of table potatoes during the week ending Jan. 25. That is up from 1.767 million cwt shipped a year earlier. Michigan packers shipped 61,793 cwt during the week ending Jan. 25. That is down from 67,883 cwt shipped during the same week in 2024. Last week’s Michigan shipments were 86.2% russets, 8.5% round white potatoes, 3.6% yellow potatoes, and 1.7% red 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, down from $19-$21 per cwt a week ago. They are selling yellow creamers for mostly $26-$28 per 50-pound carton, down from $27-$30 per 50-pound carton last week.
– Report by North American Potato Market News