Weekly Potato Report

From the Michigan Potato Industry Commission

June 30, 2010

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Thursday August 12, 2010

Potato Market Update by Bruce Huffaker

Rejections are turning into a serious problem for North Carolina chip potato growers. The Atlantic variety appears to have the biggest problem. Virginia's crop also may have problems, though chip harvest will not get under way until next week. Growers are expecting yields to be on the light side. Crops in Michigan and New York are progressing rapidly. They could be ready for harvest by the last week in July. Though that is earlier than usual, crop problems in the Mid-Atlantic region may make room for an early start to the harvest.

USDA reports that growers planted 39,400 acres to summer potatoes this year. That is a 1,400 acre reduction from comparable crop acreage for the 2009 crop. The 3.4% acreage reduction appears to be focused primarily on table potatoes, though there also are cuts in some chip potato growing areas. In the table sector, Kansas growers cut back by 500 acres, or 10%. Delaware growers reduced planting by 100 acres. Virginia's planted area declined by 1,000 acres. We suspect that most of the cuts came in the table potato sector, though chipstock acreage also may be down. Maryland's planted area went from 2,400 acres to 2,100 acres, but USDA expects harvested area to hold at 2009 levels. Missouri growers planted 7,700 acres to potatoes, 400 acres more than in 2009.

USDA has stopped reporting Wisconsin prices for the 2009 crop. Kern County shippers are selling size A new-crop Russet 5/10# bales for $5.45 per master. Kern County 50-60 Count potatoes are selling for mostly $15.45 per 50# cartons, with 70 count cartons bringing mostly $14.45. The weighted average price for Idaho Russet Burbanks climbed to $10.66 per cwt, from $9.93 per cwt a week ago.

Virginia growers are selling size A Round White potatoes for 9.00 per 50# bag. Virginia Chefs are selling for $12.00 per 50# bag.

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