Production costs have increased recently, due to the war in Iran and its impact on global oil supplies. Fuel, fertilizer, and chemical costs could increase significantly for the 2026 crop. National average diesel and gasoline prices are up 35.7% and 14.1% from year-earlier levels, respectively. According to the DTN fertilizer report published this morning, prices for all fertilizer categories have increased relative to the previous year. Nitrogen fertilizer is up 14%-19%, phosphate is up 9%-11%, and potash prices are up 9%. Unfortunately, many growers have signed contracts for the 2026 potato crop based on much smaller production cost increase projections.
Canadian storages held 66.93 million cwt of potatoes on March 1. That is 4.58 million cwt more than they held a year earlier, a 7.3% increase. It is Canada’s largest March 1 potato inventory on record. It exceeds the five-year average supply by 21.1%. Increased stocks in Alberta and British Columbia offset reduced holdings in PEI, Manitoba, and Quebec. Inventories in New Brunswick and Ontario were relatively flat. Stocks intended for processing use are up 9.0%, relative to the previous year. Table potato inventories exceed year-earlier holdings by 0.9%, while seed potato supplies are up 7.2%.
Canada’s processing potato supplies appear to be backing up. Ontario had 64,000 cwt more chip potatoes left in storage on March 1 than it held a year earlier. February processing potato disappearance totaled fell 81,000 cwt, or 14.0% short of 2025 movement. At that usage rate, Ontario’s remaining processing potatoes would last through July 30. Quebec’s total processing potato stocks (chipstock and fry quality) are down 4.2% from March 1, 2025. February disappearance in the category fell 20.1% short of last year’s pace. At the slow February usage rate, Quebec’s processing potato inventories would last through mid-October.
U.S. packers shipped 1.741 million cwt of table potatoes during the week ending March 7. That is up from 1.655 million cwt shipped a year earlier. Michigan packers shipped 55,768 cwt during the week ending March 7. That is down from 60,059 cwt shipped during the same week in 2025. Last week’s reported Michigan shipments were 85.3% russets, 9.8% round white potatoes, and 4.9% yellow 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 mostly $10 per 50-pound box, also unchanged. The weighted average shipping point price for Idaho Russet Norkotahs is $8.91 per cwt, unchanged from the previous week.
Red River Valley packers are selling 10/5-pound bales of size A yellow potatoes for $12-$14 per bale, unchanged from a week ago. They are selling 50-pound cartons of size A yellow potatoes for mostly $12-$13 per 50-pound box, also unchanged. They are also selling size A yellow potatoes in 2,000-pound tote bags for mostly $16-$18 per cwt, unchanged from last week. Red River Valley packers are selling yellow creamers for $25-$30 per 50-pound carton, also unchanged.
Florida packers are selling 50-pound cartons of size A round white potatoes for $31.50-$33.75 per box, unchanged from last week. They are selling 50-pound cartons of size B round white potatoes for $22.25-$25.75 per box, also unchanged. They are also selling round white creamers for $35.95-$45.95 per 50-pound carton.
– This report was compiled by North American Potato Market News (NAPMN) for the Michigan Potato Industry Commission.