Planting has been progressing rapidly in several parts of the country. Planting conditions have been dry, but nearly ideal in central Michigan. Growers have been planting steadily, though they are not in a hurry to finish.
In Idaho, most of the potatoes west of Idaho Falls have been planted. Some potatoes are 3-4 inches tall in the western part of the state. Potato crops have not started to emerge in eastern Idaho.
Early potatoes in the Columbia Basin are about five days behind schedule, due to the cold spring. Crops are in good condition, and they are catching up quickly. Temperatures have been above 90°F this week. Growers in the Basin plan to start harvesting early potatoes by July 15.
Approximately 75% of the San Luis Valley’s potato crop has been planted. Most growers there are expected to finish planting by the end of the week. The weather has been favorable, with above-average temperatures for this time of year. The Valley’s water situation has improved, relative to the past few years.
Growers in the southern part of Wisconsin and in the central sands area have finished planting. Potatoes have started to emerge. Planting is underway near Antigo. The weather has been cool but favorable in most areas. However, some fields received up to 4 inches of rain last week, which caused washouts shortly after the crop was planted.
Growers in the Red River Valley are waiting for soil temperatures to warm up. Most plan to start planting later this week. The potato growing areas have not experienced any major flooding. The Valley has received very little rain this spring.
Quebec Potato Producers reported that the province held 436,000 cwt of chip potatoes on May 1, versus 773,000 cwt a year ago, a 43.6% decline. Ontario held 1.346 million cwt of chip potatoes on May 1, down from 1.884 million cwt a year ago. The combined chip potato inventory for the two provinces totaled 1.782 million cwt. That is 875,000 cwt less than year-earlier holdings, a 32.9% decline. At the April usage rate, Ontario’s storage chip potato supplies would last until the end of July. Quebec’s chip potato supplies would last through June 22, at the April usage pace.
U.S. packers shipped 1.398 million cwt of table potatoes during the week ending May 13. That is down from 1.595 million cwt shipped a year earlier. Michigan’s reported shipments totaled 64,200 cwt during the week ending May 13. That is up from 36,900 cwt during the same week in 2022. Last week’s Michigan shipments were 73.4% russets, 20.7% round white potatoes, and 6.0% yellow potatoes.
USDA reports that Michigan packers are selling size A russets in 10-pound bags for mostly $16-$17 per 50-pound bale, unchanged from a week ago. They are selling size A russets in 5-pound bags for mostly $17-$18 per 50-pound bale, also unchanged. Wisconsin packers are selling size A russet potatoes in 10-pound bags for mostly $15-$16 per 50-pound bale, unchanged from a week ago. They are selling russet 40-70 count cartons for mostly $30-$34 per 50-pound box, up from $29-$33.50 per 50-pound box last week. The weighted average shipping point price for Idaho Russet Norkotahs is $39.68 per cwt. That is unchanged from a week ago.
USDA has stopped reporting prices for yellow potatoes from the Red River Valley as the region’s shipping season winds down. Florida packers are selling 50-pound cartons of size A yellow new-crop potatoes for $24.95-$26.95 per box, unchanged from last week. They are selling yellow creamers in 50-pound cartons for $45.95 per box, also unchanged.
USDA has stopped reporting prices for Florida round white potatoes.
– Report by North American Potato Market News