Weekly Potato Report

January 2, 2008

 

From the Michigan Potato Industry Commission

 

Calendar of Events
Winter Potato Conference – February 6-7, 2008 – Ramada Inn

(Formerly Holiday Inn), Grayling

Please return your registration form by January 7th.  You can find the registration form in the NewsLine or by contacting our office at 517-669-8377

or email info@mipotato.com

 

Snaxpo 2008 – March 1- 4 – San Antonio, Texas

USPB Chip Seminar 2008 – March 5 - 8 – Orlando, Florida

 

Potato Market Update by Bruce Huffaker

 

The chipstock market remained quiet, through the holiday season. Michigan's spot price for open market potatoes moved up to $8.50 per cwt, as January purchases got under way. The volume of open sales is extremely limited, but there are no excess supplies. Some dealers suggest that they can get cheaper open potatoes from Maine and Canada, but that depends upon the length of the haul.

In the fresh market, Michigan shippers are selling storage Round White potatoes for $1.20-$1.25 per 10# bag, unchanged for the week. Long Island shippers are receiving $5.00-$5.25 per 50# bag for Size A Round Whites, unchanged for the week. Long Island chefs are selling for mostly $5.25-$5.50 per 50# bag, also unchanged. Maine growers are selling 2 inch minimum Round Whites for mostly $0.95-$1.10 per 10 # bag, unchanged from last week.

Size A Michigan Russets are selling for $1.20-$1.30 per 10#, unchanged from last week. Wisconsin shippers are receiving mostly $6.00-$6.50 per 50# bale for non Size A Russet potatoes, up from $6.00-$6.25 a week ago. Wisconsin prices for 60-70 are mostly $9.00-$9.50 per 50# carton, up from $8.50-$9.00 a week ago. On the other hand, the weighted average shipping point price for Idaho Russet Burbanks dropped to $14.68 per cwt, from $14.87 a week ago.

 

This weekly newsletter has more complete potato market information. For subscription information call (208) 525-8397, fax (208) 525-8569, write PO Box 3112, Idaho Falls ID  83403, or e-mail napmn@napmn.com

This Weekly Potato Report includes current Michigan grower issues, in depth market news, and other time sensitive information. This report contains market sensitive information and your candor in using this information is appreciated.  Your comments and suggestions are vital to improving this report and other services.

If you would like to receive this report either by E-mail or Fax, please call the MPIC office at 517-669-8377, Fax: 517-669-1121, or Email: info@mipotato.com. For the MPIC gateway web page, go to http://mipotato.com. The WPR is updated weekly on Wednesday afternoon.