shutterstock
news potato
Yesterday at 2:00 PM – Niels van der Boom
The massive reductions in potato plantings by American manufacturers are having a significant impact on U.S. potato production this year. The growing season has gone well so far. No higher yields, but they can’t be described as bad.
Insiders estimate this year’s harvest at 19.37 million tons. That’s more than 600,000 tons less than last year, a 3 percent drop. Given last year’s very large crop, the drop is significant. Compared to the multi-year average, this year’s harvest is 2 percent higher than the five-year average.
The decline in potato production is mainly due to a decrease in area of 9,300 hectares compared to 2023. This brings the total to 379,300 hectares.
Average maintenance
Average yields are estimated to be 5 cents per acre below average. Converted, you're talking about 560 kilos per hectare. Yields are 51 tons per hectare. US potato crops are having an excellent growing season so far, though a lot can happen over the next two and a half months.
First day of potato harvest '24 pic.twitter.com/lho7p17H69
– Luke R (@_lucasrad) August 7, 2024
In almost all states, potatoes were planted a little earlier than usual. As a result, harvesting also began earlier. In major potato states like Idaho and Washington, growers are already starting their first harvests. Plants have been working on the old crop for a long time. Sometimes old potatoes are used until early September. If growing conditions remain favorable, a smaller half-ton can quickly become more.
Idaho is still the same
In absolute tons, Washington in particular stands out. Production there is forecast to fall by 320,000 tons, down 7% from the previous harvest. In North Dakota, potato production is down 106,000 tons (9%) and in Wisconsin by 88,000 tons (7%). In Idaho, the most important state with a forecast of 6.54 million tons, yields are about the same.
In Idaho, acreage has declined this season, but favorable growing conditions ensure that this effect is not reflected in yield figures. On average, planting was a little earlier than usual, and with frequent irrigation, heat waves had little impact on yields. Regional variations are noticeable. A late-night frost also caused damage locally, but it certainly couldn’t be described as a disaster.
Heat wave
In Washington – number two with 4.2 million tons – acreage is down a massive 4,000 hectares. This state has a similar story to Idaho. Early planting and then high daytime temperatures. Hopefully that will change by mid-August, but it means the high yields are no longer coming.
The USDA won’t release its first official potato crop estimate until November. The U.S. is clearly on track for a good average crop this year, better than last season’s, in line with processors’ ability. Persistent heat this summer, or rain during harvest, could have an impact on current numbers. Early frosts can always have an impact.
Zombie specialist. Friendly twitter guru. Internet buff. Organizer. Coffee trailblazer. Lifelong problem solver. Certified travel enthusiast. Alcohol geek.