Growers are making planting decisions as we move into the new year. The current potato market is sending a clear, strong signal for growers to reduce production in 2026. At $3.08 per cwt, the Idaho Russet Burbank grower returns index (GRI) is down 55.2% from a year ago. GRIs for Wisconsin (-42.9%), the San Luis Valley (-59.6%), and the Columbia Basin (-54.74%) are also down significantly from last year. On the other hand, prices for common rotational crops (wheat, barley, corn, alfalfa, and soybeans) are down 1%-17% from year-earlier levels. There are several other factors, besides current market conditions and alternative crop prices, that could influence planting decisions including contract volumes, crop rotations, the ability to obtain financing, and rising production costs. Even if potato production remains flat in 2026, carryover supplies from the 2025 crop could be large enough to hold open-market prices well below breakeven levels for another year.
U.S. packers shipped 1.21 million cwt of table potatoes during the holiday week ending Dec. 27. That is up from 1.15 million cwt shipped a year earlier. Michigan packers shipped 45,371 cwt during the week ending Dec. 27. That is down slightly from 45,954 cwt shipped during the same week in 2024. Last week’s reported Michigan shipments were 76.9% russets, 19.1% yellow potatoes. and 3.9% round white potatoes.
USDA reports that Michigan packers are selling size A russets in 10-pound bags for mostly $10-$11 per 50-pound bale, unchanged from a week ago. 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 $7-$7.50 per 50-pound bale, unchanged from last week. They are selling russet 40-70 count cartons for $10-$11 per 50-pound box, down from $11-$12 per 50-pound box a week ago. The weighted average shipping point price for Idaho Russet Norkotahs is $10.18 per cwt, unchanged from the previous week.
Wisconsin packers are selling 10/5-pound bales of size A yellow potatoes for $14-$16 per bale, unchanged from last week. They are selling 50-pound cartons of size A yellow potatoes for $14-$15 per 50-pound box, also unchanged. They are selling 50-pound cartons of size B yellow potatoes for mostly $11 per 50-pound box, unchanged from last week.
– This report was compiled by North American Potato Market News (NAPMN) for the Michigan Potato Industry Commission.