Above-average temperatures have slowed Michigan’s potato harvest. Approximately one-third of the state’s potato crop is in storage. Growers are still digging, but the days are shorter than usual. The state has received very little rain. Sunny skies and warm weather are also forecast for the next seven days. Reports indicate that yields are slightly below average. Chip potato solids are also below average. Growers are concerned about the longevity of this year’s storage potato crop, due to the hot, dry harvest conditions. Buyers indicate that supply and demand are relatively balanced, currently. Supplies could get tight as we move into the storage season. Chip manufacturers have indicated that they may trim contract volumes in the early southern growing regions. They are concerned about finished product demand, at least partially due to the number of Americans currently on weight loss drugs which reduce calorie intake.
The USDA has revised 2024 potato production data for 11 of the 13 reporting states, including Michigan. Production exceeded the January estimate in eight of those states, while it was revised downward in three states. The 2024 potato crop is now estimated at 421.17 million cwt. That is 930,000 cwt more than the previous estimate. However, it is 18.96 million cwt less than the 2023 crop.
For Michigan, USDA reports that growers harvested 47,500 acres of potatoes in 2024. That is unchanged from the January estimate. The state’s 2024 yield estimate was revised upward by 10 cwt per acre to 430 cwt per acre. The changes increased the 2024 crop estimate by 475,000 cwt. Michigan’s 2024 potato crop fell 1.14 million cwt, or 5.3%, short of 2023 production. The state’s combined shipments of table and chip potatoes from the 2024 crop fell 14.0% short of year-earlier movement.
U.S. packers shipped 1.593 million cwt of table potatoes during the week ending September 27, 2025. That is down from 1.719 million cwt shipped a year earlier. Michigan packers shipped 15,200 cwt during the week ending September 27, 2025. That is down from 39,436 cwt shipped during the same week in 2024. Last week’s reported Michigan shipments were 86.7% russets, 10.4% yellow potatoes, and 3.0% red potatoes.
Wisconsin packers are selling size A russet potatoes in 10-pound bags for $7-$9 per 50-pound bale, down from $9 per 50-pound bale last week. They are selling russet 40-70 count cartons for $12-$15 per 50-pound box, down from $16 per 50-pound box a week ago. The weighted average shipping point price for new-crop Idaho Russet Norkotahs is $12.28 per cwt, down from $12.81 per cwt the previous week.
Wisconsin packers are selling 10/5-pound bales of size A yellow potatoes for $14-$17 per bale, unchanged from last week. They are also selling 50-pound cartons of size A yellow potatoes for $14-$17 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 a week ago.
Wisconsin packers are selling 10/5-pound bales of size A red potatoes for $13-$14 per bale, unchanged from last week. They are selling 50-pound cartons of size A red potatoes for $11-$13.50 per 50-pound box, also unchanged. The USDA has stopped reporting prices for Big Lake and Central Minnesota.
– This report was compiled by North American Potato Market News (NAPMN) for the Michigan Potato Industry Commission.