Chip potato movement has been extremely slow. February shipments were 15.7% below the five-year average. Several processors are running below capacity due to production setbacks. Storage supplies are backing up. According to North American Potato Market News (NAPMN) reports, there have been some discussions about contract buyouts.
Shipments from Florida are picking up. Growers plan to start digging in the central part of the state next week. Growing conditions in north Florida have been ideal. In North Carolina, growers are nearly finished planting. Planting has started in Southwest Michigan, though there is no hurry due to current market conditions. Seed potato supplies appear to be plentiful.
U.S. packers shipped 1.731 million cwt of table potatoes during the week ending March 22. That is down from 1.839 million cwt shipped a year earlier. Michigan packers shipped 34,562 cwt during the week ending March 22. That is down from 101,910 cwt shipped during the same week in 2024. Last week’s reported Michigan shipments were 79.8% russets, 15.0% yellow potatoes, and 5.2% round white 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-$11 per 50-pound bale, up from for $9-$10.50 per 50-pound bale a week ago. They are selling russet 40-70 count cartons for $13.50-$15 per 50-pound box, up from $13-$15 per 50-pound box last week. The weighted average shipping point price for Idaho Russet Norkotahs is $14.88 per cwt, down from $15.52 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 $25.70-$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 $32-$34.75 per box, down from $32-$36.70 per box a week ago. They are selling 50-pound cartons of size B round white potatoes for $21.70-$23.70 per box, unchanged from last week.
– Report by North American Potato Market News