Storage chip potato supplies appear to be plentiful. Some manufacturers have slowed production because of staffing issues and challenges sourcing transportation, oil, and packaging materials. Nevertheless, late-season storage issues could eat into raw product supplies as the weather warms up. Approximately 80% of chip potato contracts have been settled. Reports indicate that contract prices are up 15%-20%, while volumes are down 5%-10% from the 2021 crop. Growers in North Carolina have finished planting. Growers in Ohio are expected to start planting this week.
US packers shipped 1.647 million cwt of table potatoes during the week ending March 19, 2022. That is down from 1.770 million cwt a year earlier. Michigan packers shipped 39,400 cwt of potatoes during the week ending March 19, 2022. That is down from 57,800 cwt during the same week in 2021. Last week’s Michigan shipments were 90.9% Russets, 5.7% Yellow potatoes, and 3.4% Round White potatoes.
USDA reports that Michigan packers are selling size A Russets in 10# bags for mostly $11.00-$12.00 per 50# bale, unchanged from a week ago. Wisconsin packers are selling size A Russet potatoes in 10# bags for mostly $10.00-$10.50 per 50# bale, unchanged from last week. They are selling Russet 40-70 count cartons for mostly $17.00-$18.00 per 50# box, also unchanged. The weighted average shipping point price for Idaho Russet Norkotahs is $21.01 per cwt, up from $20.95 per cwt last week.
Florida size A Yellow potatoes are selling for mostly $25.95-$28.25 per 50# carton, unchanged from last week. Shipments from the Red River Valley are wrapping up, there were no prices reported this week.
Maine packers are selling 2 inch minimum Round White potatoes in 10/5# film bags for $9.50-$10.00 per 50# bale, down from $10.50-$11.00 per 50# bale a week ago. Florida packers are selling 50# cartons of size A Round White potatoes for $34.95-$35.25 per box, unchanged from last week.