Michigan’s potato crop is in relatively good condition. However, it has been hot, and temperatures have not been cooling down at night. That could have a negative impact on quality. There is some rain in the forecast. Harvest is just starting in Southwest Michigan and limited harvest expected to begin in the central part of the state early next week.
Chip companies currently have plenty of raw product. Business has been slow. Heavy rain has caused quality issues in the eastern growing regions. Harvest is winding down in North Carolina and Virginia. Harvest is underway in Ohio, Indiana, and the Mid-Central region (Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska). Shipments from Florida are tapering off. Wisconsin and the Red River Valley are still shipping storage chip potatoes. Those supplies are cleaning up quickly.
The U.S. exported 5.89 million cwt of potatoes and potato products (raw product equivalent) during May. That is 712,000 cwt less than year-earlier shipments, a 10.8% decline. Increased fresh potato shipments were offset by reduced frozen product, dehydrated product, and potato chip exports. Fresh potato exports rose 4.0% above May 2024 movement. Frozen product exports dropped by 11.2%. Dehydrated product and potato chip exports fell by 17.4% and 9.1%, respectively. The value of May potato imports exceeded the value of exports by $66.99 million.
U.S. packers shipped 1.604 million cwt of table potatoes during the week ending July 12. That is down from 1.706 million cwt shipped a year earlier. Michigan packers shipped 37,609 cwt during the week ending July 12. That is down from 39,976 cwt shipped during the same week in 2024. Last week’s reported Michigan shipments were 89.2% russets, 8.4% yellow potatoes, and 2.4% round white potatoes.
Wisconsin packers are selling size A russet potatoes in 10-pound bags for $10.50-$11 per 50-pound bale, compared to $9.50-$13 per 50-pound bale a week ago. They are selling russet 40-70 count cartons for $17.50-$20 per 50-pound box, up from $15-$20 per 50-pound box last week. The weighted average shipping point price for Idaho Russet Burbanks is $15.20 per cwt, up from $14.68 per cwt the previous week.
Virginia packers are selling 50-pound sacks of size A yellow potatoes for $19.50 per sack, unchanged from a week ago. They are selling size A yellow potatoes in 2,000-pound tote bags for $36 per cwt, also unchanged.
Virginia packers are selling 50-pound sacks of size A round white potatoes for $17.50 per sack, unchanged from a week ago. They are selling 50-pound sacks of Round White chef potatoes for $23.50 per sack, also unchanged. Virginia packers also are selling size A round white potatoes in 2,000-pound tote bags for $32 per cwt, down from $36 per cwt last week.
-- Compiled by North American Potato Market News