Weekly Potato Report
June 25, 2008
August 21, 2008– Montcalm Field Day, MSU Research
Farm, Entrican
February 11-12, 2009– Winter Potato Conference and MSU
Variety Day,
Comfort Inn Suites, Mt. Pleasant
North Carolina growers are chewing through chip potato acreage rapidly.
Growers in the Elizabeth City area indicate that yields are at least 50 cwt per
acre below normal. They are not sure that they will have enough potatoes to
meet contract obligations. Growers in the southern part of the state do have a
few overages, which are selling for $18.00 per cwt. Crops in Missouri and
southern Indiana also are coming in well below normal volumes. On the other
hand, chip dealers expect the Virginia crop to come in early, with
above-average yields.
Storage potato crops appear to be in good condition in most areas,
though development is 1-2 weeks behind schedule. Wisconsin lost some potatoes
to flooding, earlier this month. The damage to table potatoes appears to be more
severe than losses on the chip potato crop. In addition, the rains have
prevented planting of some Red potatoes on Wisconsin muck farms.
Discussion is under way about prices for Florida's 2009 chip potato
crop. Our sources indicate that Florida growers are seeking 25% increases in
contract prices for next year's crop. The increases are needed to cover cost
increases for fuel, fertilizer, and chemicals.
Pressure is mounting on the government to eliminate ethanol subsidies
and to release CRP ground, in order to reduce prices for food crops. While that
may provide some relief in the long run, the industry must recognize that
farmers must cover their production costs, and have something left over, if
they expect to stay in business.
Size A Round White table potatoes are bringing
$11.00-$12.00 per 50# bag in North Carolina. In Virginia, shippers are
receiving $12.00 per 50# bag for Size A Round White
potatoes, with chefs bringing $14.00-$15.00 per 50# bag. Both areas started
shipping table potatoes last week.
Wisconsin shippers are receiving mostly $11.00-$12.00 per 50# bale for
non Size A Russet potatoes, down from $11.50-$12.00 a
week ago. Wisconsin prices for 60-70 count cartons are $21.00-$22.00 per cwt,
down from $22.00 per box last week. The weighted average shipping point price
for Idaho Russet Burbanks slipped to $25.52 per cwt
this week, from $25.74 a week ago at this time. While Russet prices are showing
temporary weakness, it appears that supplies will be extremely tight for the
next six weeks.
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