Weekly Potato
Report
July 28, 2010
Upcoming Events
Limited
chip potato harvest is under way in southwest Michigan. Buyers needed potatoes
last week, to cover needs created when Vincennes was shut down by rain.
However, they want to clean up that crop before moving north. One grower may
dig a few test loads in central Michigan this week, but general harvest will
not get under way until the week of August 9. That is still at least 7-10 days
earlier than usual, but this year's rapid crop development should allow for the
early start, without compromising yield potential. The industry seems anxious
to start the northern harvest, due to crop shortfalls along the Atlantic
Seaboard. One load of Michigan chip potatoes sold for $10.25 per cwt this week, but demand for open potatoes is limited, as
buyers focus on using contract potatoes.
Fresh
potato market prices are extremely strong, as buyers scramble for available
supplies of Russet and Red potatoes. Fresh shipping volumes are strong, but
evidence suggests that crop problems in Texas, Kansas, and Nebraska could lead
to tight supplies during August. In addition, the Virginia crop is cleaning up
earlier than usual, and Delaware may have a light crop. Idaho's 2010 crop is
about two weeks late. Shippers in the Columbia Basin and in Wisconsin should be
able to fill a large portion of the gap, but the shuffling has given prices a
tremendous boost, over the past month.
Columbia
Basin shippers are selling 40-70 count cartons of new-crop Russet potatoes for
$14.00-$15.00 per 50# box. The weighted average price for Idaho Russet Burbanks climbed to $17.23 per cwt,
from $15.31 per cwt a week ago. Limited supplies of
Texas Russets are selling bulk for $17.00 per cwt
this week, though there are offers at $15.00 per cwt
for next week.
The
Onaway harvest is under way in Michigan. Demand is relatively light. Dealers
are selling Onaways for $1.85 per 10# bag. Virginia
growers are selling size A Round White potatoes for $7.00-$8.00 per 50# bag,
down from $8.00 a week ago. Virginia Chefs are selling for $12.00 per 50# bag,
unchanged for the week. Virginia's harvest is winding down. Very few potatoes
will be available next week. The Delaware harvest is now under way. Dealers are
selling size A
Round White potatoes in 50# bags for $8.00 per bag, with Chefs selling for
$12.00 per bag.
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