Reported U.S. chip potato shipments totaled 3.71 million cwt during July. That is 907,000 cwt, or 19.7%, less than the industry shipped during July 2024. Reduced shipments from North Carolina (-439,000 cwt), the Mid-Central region (-448,000 cwt), and the West Coast region (-171,000 cwt) were all factors in the decline. In contrast, shipments from the Southwest region (+162,000 cwt), the Midwest region (+84,000 cwt), Virginia (+53,000 cwt), Florida (+51,000 cwt), and the Red River Valley (+27,000 cwt) exceeded year-earlier movement. At 418,000 cwt, July chip potato movement from Wisconsin nearly matched last year’s pace. USDA-AMS has not yet reported July chip potato shipments from Georgia and New York, this year. Last year Georgia shipped 160,000 cwt and New York shipped 49,000 cwt during July. U.S. chip potato shipments for the August 2024-July 2025 season totaled 49.70 million cwt. That fell 6.49 million cwt, or 11.5%, short of year-earlier movement.
North American Potato Market News (NAPMN) expects Canadian growers to produce 126.8 million cwt of potatoes during 2025. That is 1.4 million cwt less than the current estimate for 2024 production, a 1.1% decline. If realized, this year’s potato crop would be 5.0% larger than the five-year average. The Maritime Provinces, Quebec, and Ontario have experienced variable conditions during much of the growing season. Crops in those provinces need rain to finish bulking. The hot, dry weather will likely take a toll on yields. On the other hand, the Prairie Provinces and British Columbia have received timely rainfall during the past several weeks. Growing conditions in those provinces have been mostly favorable, and above-average yields are expected. Ontario and Quebe are Canada’s largest chip potato producers. Combined production in those provinces is forecast to decline by 916,000 cwt, due to the challenging growing conditions. Part of the reduction will likely be in chip potatoes. Chip potato production in the Maritime Provinces should be adequate for local needs. Reports indicate that Alberta’s early chip potato crop is excellent.
U.S. packers shipped 1.442 million cwt of table potatoes during the week ending Aug. 9. That is down from 1.563 million cwt shipped a year earlier. Michigan packers shipped 10,747 cwt during the week ending Aug. 9. That is down from 36,375 cwt shipped during the same week in 2024. Last week’s reported Michigan shipments were 79.1% russets, and 20.9% yellow potatoes.
The weighted average shipping point price for Idaho Russet Burbanks is $16.24 per cwt, up from $16.18 per cwt the previous week.
– This report was compiled by North American Potato Market News (NAPMN) for the Michigan Potato Industry Commission.