Weekly Potato Report

February 6, 2008

 

From the Michigan Potato Industry Commission

 

 

Calendar of Events
Snaxpo 2008 – March 1- 4 – San Antonio, Texas

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

 

Potato Market Update by Bruce Huffaker

 

Chip markets are quiet. A few Michigan potatoes are selling in the open market for $8.75 per cwt. Other areas are reporting sales at near contract prices. Contract shipments continue to run on schedule, but dealers note that this is the slowest time of the year for chip movement.

There is a great deal of uncertainty about 2008 chip potato contracts. Buyers are starting to recognize that they will need more than nominal price increases, in order to cover their raw product needs. However, many are talking about cutting package sizes, to pass on cost increases to their customers. The big question is how much impact the change in package size will have on demand for raw product.

In the fresh market, Michigan shippers are selling storage Round White potatoes for $1.25-$1.30 per 10# bag, unchanged from last 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 $1.25-$1.40 per 10#, unchanged for the week. Wisconsin shippers are receiving mostly $6.50-$7.00 per 50# bale for non Size A Russet potatoes, Up from $6.00-$7.00 a wee ago. Wisconsin prices for 60-70 count cartons are mostly $10.00-$10.50 per 50# carton, up from $9.50-$10.50 last week. The weighted average shipping point price for Idaho Russet Burbanks fell to $15.21 per cwt, from $15.31 last week at this time. This information comes from Bruce Huffaker, North American Potato Market News.

 

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