Weekly Potato Report

April 21, 2010

From the Michigan Potato Industry Commission

*There will be no Weekly Potato Report next week, April 28, 2010.*

Potato Market Update by Bruce Huffaker

Chip companies are struggling to find enough usable potatoes to keep plants running. The central Florida harvest is under way, but yields are on the light side. Our sources put the current average at about 225 cwt per acre. They indicate that yields on the last half of that crop should be better. There still is no consensus on when harvest will start in the Hastings District, but it will be the middle of May before harvest gets into full swing. Growers in Pearsall, Texas will start harvesting around May 1. The Live Oak harvest is set to start on May 8. Chip companies are pushing to start harvest as quickly as possible, which could result in yield sacrifices for both areas. The losses may be more noticeable in Live Oak than in Pearsall, as that crop has not had the needed heat units.

Supply conditions should improve by May 15. Some dealers are concerned that the compressed Florida harvest could lead to a glut of potatoes during the last half of May. However, that depends upon how many extra potatoes chip companies will need at that time. Quality issues, as well as the slow start of the Florida harvest have cleaned up storage supplies of chip potatoes 3-6 weeks ahead of schedule. There were not a lot of extra new-crop potatoes under contract, though the harvest is being compressed, due to the slow development of the Florida crop.

In the fresh market, Michigan packers shipped 37,800 cwt of potatoes during the week ending April 17. That is up from 20,100 cwt a year ago. Last week's shipments were 73.0% Russet potatoes, and 27.0% 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 per 50# bale, also unchanged for the week. Wisconsin 50-70 count cartons are selling for mostly $6.75-$7.00 per 50# box, up from $6.50 a week ago. The weighted average price for Idaho Russet Burbanks advanced to $9.10 per cwt, from $8.75 at the same time last week.

In Maine, 10/5# bales of 2 inch minimum Round White potatoes are selling for $6.50-$7.00 per bale, unchanged from last week. In Florida, new-crop Size A Round White potatoes were selling for $15.00-$16.00 per 50# sack, down from $18.00 at the same time 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.

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