North America’s fall potato harvest is moving forward. However, above-average temperatures slowed progress in Michigan and Wisconsin last week. Approximately one-third of Michigan’s storage potatoes are under cover. Growers are pleased with this year’s crop. Parts of the state received some rain in the past 24 hours, which improved harvest conditions. The Michigan forecast is calling for ten days of excellent harvest weather. Close to two-thirds of Wisconsin’s potatoes have been harvested. Chip potato markets remain quiet. Movement is slow and steady, typical for this time of year.
U.S. packers shipped 1.639 million cwt of table potatoes during the week ending Sept. 21. That is down from 1.741 million cwt shipped a year earlier. Michigan packers shipped 29,543 cwt of potatoes during the week ending Sept. 21. That is down from 32,444 cwt shipped during the same week in 2023. Last week’s Michigan shipments were 100% russets.
Wisconsin packers are selling size A russet potatoes in 10-pound bags for $9.50-$11 per 50-pound bale, unchanged from a week ago. They are selling russet 40-70 count cartons for mostly $17-$18 per 50-pound box, down from $17-$19 per 50-pound box last week. The weighted average shipping point price for new-crop Idaho Russet Norkotahs is $18.82 per cwt, down from $18.74 per cwt a week ago.
Wisconsin packers are selling 10/5-pound bales of size A yellow potatoes for mostly $13-$17 per bale, unchanged from last week. They are selling 50-pound cartons of size A yellow potatoes for mostly $13-$16.50 per 50-pound box, also unchanged. Big Lake and Central Minnesota packers are selling 10/5-pound bales of size A yellow potatoes for mostly $12-$13 per bale, unchanged from a week ago. They are selling 50-pound cartons of size A yellow potatoes for mostly $12-$13 per 50-pound box, also unchanged. They are selling 2,000-pound tote bags of size A yellow potatoes for mostly $18-$20 per cwt, unchanged from last week.
Report by North American Potato Market News