Favorable weather has helped move planting forward in Michigan. Planting in the southern part of the state is close to 75% finished, while planting progress in central Michigan is about 50% complete. Rain has slowed planting in Wisconsin. Over 40% of Wisconsin’s potatoes have been planted, which is about a week behind last year but close to the five-year average. In Minnesota, growers had planted 17% of their potatoes by the end of last week, which matches last year’s pace. Planting is just getting underway in North Dakota. Reports indicate that 3% of that state’s potatoes had been planted by April 28, versus an average of 5%.
Approximately 30% of Idaho’s potatoes had been planted by last weekend, the same as last year. Planting is on schedule in Washington and Oregon.
The chip potato business has been slow. Storage supplies appear to be plentiful as the industry transitions from storage potatoes to fresh potatoes. Growers and buyers are pleased with the quality of North Florida’s chip potato crop. Crops in North and South Carolina also are in good condition.
U.S. packers shipped 1.653 million cwt of table potatoes during the week ending April 26. That is up from 1.598 million cwt shipped a year earlier. Michigan packers shipped 54,550 cwt during the week ending April 26. That is down from 65,960 cwt shipped during the same week in 2024. Last week’s reported Michigan shipments were 79.4% russets, 19.8% yellow potatoes, and 0.8% 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, unchanged from 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 $23.70-$26.25 per box, down from $25.70-$26.25 per box a week ago. They are selling yellow creamers in 50-pound cartons for $35-$42.90 per box, down from $40.25-$41 per box last week. They are also selling size A yellow potatoes in 2,000-pound tote bags for $35-$42.90 per cwt, down from $40-$44.90 per cwt the previous week.
Florida packers are selling 50-pound cartons of size A round white potatoes for $30-$32 per box, down from $30-$33.25 per box a week ago. They are selling 50-pound cartons of size B round white potatoes for mostly $22.25 per box, down from $22-$23.70 per box last week.
– Report by North American Potato Market News