The USDA reports that growers in the storage states held 130.6 million cwt of potatoes on April 1. That is 7.8 million cwt less than those same states had in storage a year earlier, a 5.6% decline. Michigan’s reported April 1 potato stocks are 4.0 million cwt. That is 400,000 cwt, or 9.1%, less than the state held a year earlier. However, it is the state’s third-largest April 1 inventory on record (behind April 2022 and 2024). Michigan’s calculated February-March disappearance fell by 600,000 cwt, or 12.8%, short of 2024 movement.
Chip potato shipments from the storage states totaled 7.45 million cwt during February and March. That fell 1.85 million cwt below year-earlier movement, a 19.9% decline. Reduced shipments from Michigan, Wisconsin, and Nebraska were the largest factors, though movement was slower from most other regions as well. Chip potato supplies appear to be plentiful in the storage states.
U.S. packers shipped 1.769 million cwt of table potatoes during the week ending April 19. That is up from 1.606 million cwt shipped a year earlier. Michigan packers shipped 67,042 cwt during the week ending April 19. That is down from 68,317 cwt shipped during the same week in 2024. Last week’s reported Michigan shipments were 76.8% russets, 21.1% yellow potatoes, and 2.0% round white potatoes.
The USDA reports that Michigan packers are selling size A russets in 10-pound bags for $10-$11 per 50-pound bale, unchanged from last week. They are selling size A russets in 5-pound bags for $11-$12 per 50-pound bale, also unchanged. Wisconsin packers are selling size A russet potatoes in 10-pound bags for $9-$11 per 50-pound bale, unchanged from a week ago. They are selling russet 40-70 count cartons for $13.50-$15 per 50-pound box, also unchanged. The weighted average shipping point price for Idaho Russet Norkotahs is $14.48 per cwt, down from $14.51 per cwt the previous week.
Red River Valley packers are selling size A yellow potatoes in 2,000-pound tote bags for mostly $19-$21 per cwt, unchanged from last week. Florida packers are selling 50-pound cartons of size A yellow potatoes for $25.70-$26.25 per box, unchanged from a week ago. They are selling yellow creamers in 50-pound cartons for $40.25-$41 per box, also unchanged. They are also selling size A yellow potatoes in 2,000-pound tote bags for $40-$44.90 per cwt, up from $35-$44.90 per cwt last week.
Florida packers are selling 50-pound cartons of size A round white potatoes for $30-$33.25 per box, up from $30-$32 per box a week ago.
– Report by North American Potato Market News