Weekly Potato
Report
July 21, 2010
Upcoming Events
Chip
supplies are balanced with usage requirements, as long as there are no
problems. However, rain has delayed harvest in several growing areas. As a
result, chip plants are wanting to start harvest in
southwest Michigan a few days earlier than expected. Potato chip demand is
good. Some chip potatoes continue to go to Canada, as local supplies are not
yet sufficient to cover usage requirements.
Chip
potato crops appear to be in good conditions in most growing areas. However,
heat and dry weather may be taking a toll in some growing areas. There will be
no backup of supplies in advance of the Michigan harvest. Chip potato acreage
appears to be up from last year, both in the US and in Canada. Barring a repeat
of last year's quality problems, storage chip potato supplies could be
substantially higher than they were a year ago. Chip companies are likely to
use the extra potatoes to extend the storage season. Supplies could exceed
industry needs. However, there is a potential for other industry sectors,
including frozen and dehy, to use excess chip
potatoes.
Canadian
growers planted 359,400 acres to potatoes this year. That is 11,700 acres below
2009 acreage, a 3.2% reduction. The largest cuts occurred in Manitoba. Growers
in Ontario and Quebec planted more potatoes than they did in 2009. Our sources
indicate that all of the 1,500 acre increase in Ontario area is chip potatoes.
The Ontario crop is in good condition, though the early harvest apparently
started before the crop reached its full yield potential.
Kern
County shippers are selling size A new-crop Russet
5/10# bales for mostly $6.45 per master, up from $5.45 at this time last week.
Kern County 50-60 Count potatoes are selling for
$12.45-$15.45 per 50# cartons, down from $15.45 a week ago. Kern County 70
count cartons are returning $12.45-$14.45, down from $14.45 last week. The Kern
County harvest will be done by the end of next week. The first Columbia Basin
Russet table potatoes will be harvested later this week. Michigan Russets
should start moving to market within 2-3 weeks. The weighted average price for
Idaho Russet Burbanks climbed to $15.31 per cwt, from $13.10 per cwt a week
ago.
Virginia
growers are selling size A Round White potatoes for 8.00 per 50# bag, unchanged
from last week. Virginia Chefs are selling for $12.00 per 50# bag, also
unchanged for the week. Limited Onaway harvest is under way in Michigan, but
there is not enough volume to establish market prices.
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