The North American potato industry, and the economy in general, has experienced plenty of uncertainty during the past week. The on-and-off tariff situation has put some segments on edge more than others. The biggest surprise began to unfold late last week. McCain Foods informed most of its growers in the Columbia Basin and in Idaho that their contract volumes will be cut by approximately 15%. Similar cuts could occur in Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Wisconsin, and Maine. This follows Lamb Weston’s 10% reduction for growers in the Columbia Basin and for some growers in Idaho. Simplot is expected to down expansion. Contract volumes for both Simplot and Cavendish are expected to be relatively stable.
The contract cuts came as a surprise, because domestic and export fry and other frozen product sales have been strong, recently. The U.S. continues to import a record-large volume of fries from the EU and other offshore suppliers, to cover the supply gap in domestic production.
The big question now: how many acres of uncontracted potatoes will growers plant?
In several areas, the ground has been fumigated, and the seed has been contracted. In addition, the profit potential for alternative crops is nothing to get excited about.
Planting is underway in Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, and other states along the East Coast. Reports indicate that some potatoes were planted last week, but rain delayed progress. Growers are in the fields now. The weather forecast is favorable through the end of the week.
U.S. packers shipped 1.645 million cwt of table potatoes during the week ending March 8. That is up from 1.612 million cwt shipped a year earlier. Michigan packers shipped 56,559 cwt during the week ending March 8. That is down from 68,102 cwt shipped during the same week in 2024. Last week’s reported Michigan shipments were 84.8% russets, 9.3% yellow potatoes, and 5.9% round white potatoes.
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-$10.50 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 $15.79 per cwt, down from $16.25 per cwt the previous week.
Red River Valley packers are selling size A yellow potatoes in 2,000-pound tote bags for mostly $19-$21 per cwt, unchanged from last week. They are selling yellow creamers for mostly $26-$28 per 50-pound carton, also unchanged. Florida packers are selling 50-pound cartons of size A yellow potatoes for $23.70-$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 $35.25-$36.70 per box, unchanged from last week.
– Report by North American Potato Market News