USDA estimates that growers produced 387.80 million cwt of potatoes during 2026. That is 29.80 million cwt less than the 2025 crop, a 7.1% decline. Nine of the 13 reporting states posted reduced production this year. USDA puts the 2026 national average potato yield at 440 cwt per acre, 22 cwt below the 2025 average yield.
USDA increased Michigan’s planted area estimate by 3,000 acres, to 49,000 acres. The harvested area was set at 48,700 acres, which is 200 acres more than growers harvested in 2025. At 420 cwt per acre, this year’s yield estimate matches the 2025 yield. That acreage and yield combination puts Michigan’s 2026 potato crop at 20.45 million cwt, which is 84,000 cwt more than 2025 production. Reported table potato shipments, through November 7, are running 2.3% below last year’s pace. Reported chip potato movement is down 5.3% from the previous year.
U.S. packers shipped 1.807 million cwt of table potatoes during the week ending November 7. That is down from 1.848 million cwt shipped a year earlier. USDA reports indicate that Michigan packers shipped 3,397 cwt during the week ending November 7. It compares to 52,818 cwt shipped during the same week in 2025. That number will likely be revised. Last week’s reported Michigan shipments were 70.7% russets, 26.5% yellow potatoes, and 2.8% red potatoes.
Wisconsin packers are selling size A russet potatoes in 10-pound bags for mostly $9 per 50-pound bale, unchanged from last week. They are selling russet 40-70 count cartons for mostly $22-$23 per 50-pound box, compared to $22-$22.50 per 50-pound box a week ago. The weighted average shipping point price for Idaho russet Norkotahs is $25.17 per cwt, up from $24.97 per cwt the previous week.
Wisconsin packers are selling 10/5-pound bales of size A yellow potatoes for $17.50-$19.50 per bale, up from $16.50-$19.50 per bale last week. They are also selling 50-pound cartons of size A yellow potatoes for $17-$19.50 per 50-pound box, unchanged from a week ago. They are selling 50-pound cartons of size B Yellow potatoes for $13-$15 per 50-pound box, also unchanged.
Wisconsin packers are selling 10/5-pound bales of size A red potatoes for $16.50-$17 per bale, up from $16-$16.50 per bale last week. They are also selling 50-pound cartons of size A red potatoes for $15.50-$16.50 per 50-pound box, unchanged from a week ago. They are selling 50-pound cartons of size B Red potatoes for mostly $20.75-$22 per 50-pound box, also unchanged.
— This report was compiled by North American Potato Market News (NAPMN) for the Michigan Potato Industry Commission