Michigan growers are pleased with the yields and quality of this year’s potato crop. Reports indicate that table potato movement has been steady. Potato storage facilities are full. Some growers still have potatoes left to harvest. They hope to move the remaining potatoes from the field directly to processors, but chip potato supplies are backed up. Weather forecasts are favorable for the next 7-10 days. That may give Michigan growers a little extra time to move field-delivery potatoes if they have an opportunity.
North American Potato Market News (NAPMN) expects Canada to produce 131.6 million cwt of potatoes in 2026. That is 5.7 million cwt, or 4.5%, more than the country produced in 2025. If the forecast is accurate, this is Canada’s largest potato crop on record. The projection is based on early October harvest reports. Harvest conditions have been mixed across Canada. Growers in several provinces have already finished harvesting this year’s potato crop. On the other hand, rain has slowed harvest progress in other provinces. Some growers are a week or more behind the usual schedule. Growers are concerned that temperatures could fall below freezing before they can get the last of this year’s potato crop in storage. Combined production in Ontario and Quebec is forecast to exceed the 2025 crop by 1.6 million cwt, or 7.0%. At least part of that increase is in chip potatoes. Chip potato supplies will likely be sufficient in PEI, due to strong yields. Chip potato production in New Brunswick and Alberta should also be sufficient for local needs.
U.S. packers shipped 1.573 million cwt of table potatoes during the week ending Oct. 17. That is down from 1.619 million cwt shipped a year earlier. Michigan packers shipped 27,715 cwt during the week ending Oct. 17. It compares to 29,275 cwt shipped during the same week in 2025. Last week’s reported Michigan shipments were 96.5% russets, 3.4% yellow potatoes, and 0.1% red potatoes.
Wisconsin packers are selling size A russet potatoes in 10-pound bags for mostly $9 per 50-pound bale, down from $10 per 50-pound bale last week. They are selling russet 40-70 count cartons for mostly $19-$21 per 50-pound box, compared to $20 per 50-pound box a week ago. The weighted average shipping point price for Idaho Russet Norkotahs is $23.25 per cwt, up from $22.51 per cwt the previous week.
— This report was compiled by North American Potato Market News (NAPMN) for the Michigan Potato Industry Commission