Weekly Potato Report

February 10, 2010

From the Michigan Potato Industry Commission

Calendar of Upcoming Events

February 16-17, 2010 – Winter Potato Conference/Variety Day – Mt. Pleasant Comfort Inn & Suites

*Please see the United States Potato Board’s

NEW Potato Nutrition Handbook on the MPIC homepage*

Potato Market Update by Bruce Huffaker

Chip markets remain quiet. Pressure from storage breakdown seems to be easing, as the worst problems get cleared up. Chip manufacturers are working with growers and dealers in an effort to use as many storage potatoes as possible. Fry color seems to be coming around on late-harvested Snowdens. Some dealers are concerned that the window for using those potatoes could be quite narrow, due to the stress that the potatoes went through during the 2009 harvest.

Canada reports that it had 54.94 million cwt of potatoes in storage on February 1. That is 1.17 million cwt fewer potatoes than it held a year ago, a 2.1% reduction. This departs from earlier reports on stocks, primarily because of major revisions to last year's New Brunswick stocks estimates. The reduction in chip potato supplies appears to be even greater. Ontario had 1.85 million cwt of chip potatoes in storage on February 1, which is 287,000 cwt less than it held a year earlier, a 13.4% reduction. Heavy cullage of the Ontario crop continued during January. Quebec's processing potato inventories, which include potatoes for both chips and French Fries, totaled 1.71 million cwt. That is down 153,000 cwt from last year, an 8.2% reduction.

In the fresh market, Michigan packers shipped 67,100 cwt of potatoes during the week ending February 6. That is up from 50,100 cwt a year earlier. This year's shipments were 69.4% Russet potatoes, and 23.5% Round White varieties.

Michigan size A Russets are selling for mostly $1.10-$1.30 per 10# bag, unchanged for the week. In Wisconsin, packers are selling non Size A Russets in 10# bags for mostly $4.50-$4.75 per 50# bale, unchanged from last week. Wisconsin 50-70 count cartons are selling for mostly $6.00 per 50# box, also unchanged for the week. The weighted average price for Idaho Russet Burbanks dropped to $7.67 per cwt, from $7.99 at the same time last week.

Michigan shippers are selling Round White potatoes for mostly $1.20-$1.30 per 10# bag, unchanged for the week. In Maine, 10/5# bales of 2 inch minimum Round White potatoes are selling for $6.00-$7.00 per bale, unchanged from last week at this time. Long Island packers are selling 50# size a Round White potatoes for mostly $5.25-$6.00 per bag, down from $6.00-$6.50 a week earlier. They are selling large potatoes for mostly $6.25-$6.75 per 50# bag, unchanged from last week.

This weekly newsletter has more complete potato market information. For subscription information call (208) 525-8397, fax (208) 525-8569, write PO Box 135, Shelley ID 83274, 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.