Weekly Potato Report

February 17, 2010

From the Michigan Potato Industry Commission

*Please see the United States Potato Board’s

NEW Potato Nutrition Handbook on the MPIC homepage*

Potato Market Update by Bruce Huffaker

More wet spots are appearing in chip potato storage bins each week. While chip companies are working to clean up the problems, this year's storage losses are among the worse that growers can remember. While the most severe problems are in New York, our sources indicate that storage losses, defects, and color issues are creating problems for chip potatoes from the Red River Valley eastward to New Brunswick and PEI. Growers expect to be short on storage potatoes for delivery during May and June. They would like to be moving more potatoes now, in order to keep ahead of storage losses, but many expect to run out of usable potatoes sometime in April.

Early chip crops in Florida are struggling. Central Florida crops are at least 10 days behind schedule, though they could catch up somewhat during March, if the weather improves. Growers are hoping that chip companies will allow the potatoes to reach their full yield potential. If that does not happen, they believe that there could be a gap between the end of the central Florida harvest and the harvest in the Hastings District.

Heavy mid-January rains caused severe problems for the 15%-20% of the Hastings crop that had been planted in the days before the rain came. Growers had to replant low spots in those fields. The crop has been slow to emerge, because of cold, wet weather since that time. Observers differ on their damage assessments of the crop. Some are reporting poor emergence, with 50% stands on the early crops. Others believe that emergence is uneven, but that stands will be acceptable, once all of the potatoes emerge. They are more concerned about variable crop maturity, rather than light stands. However, no one expects Hastings to be able to produce much chip volume before the second week in May.

In the fresh market, Michigan packers shipped 61,900 cwt of potatoes during the week ending February 13. That is up from 41,400 cwt a year earlier. This year's shipments were 75.3% Russet potatoes, and 24.1% 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 slid to $7.53 per cwt, from $7.67 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, unchanged for the week. They are selling large potatoes for mostly $6.25-$6.75 per 50# bag, also unchanged from last week. The Long Island shipping season is winding to a close.

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.

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