A potato crop that varies across Canada and even by region within provinces has been produced during the 2022 growing season.

Experts from United Potato Growers of Canada (UPGC) recently predicted that the country’s potato production could be slightly lower overall than in 2021, with Canadian acreage remaining nearly unchanged.

In contrast to this year, the yields in 2021 gave most of Eastern Canada a ‘bumper crop’.

“Most provinces have enjoyed excellent harvest conditions without the high temperatures experienced in early September nor the wet conditions of early spring,” the UPGC experts added.

Over 90% of the tater crop grown by Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.) farmers has been harvested; many have just finished, and many more will in the coming days.

“Despite Fiona causing delays starting storage harvest, excellent weather since the storm has enabled growers to make up time and harvest looks like (weather permitting next week) it will be completed on time (some even earlier than normal),” a recent UPGC report shows.

Even though the majority of growers on P.E.I. experienced a better-than-average potato harvest last year, the UPGC representatives anticipate a yield that is comparable to last year’s and of excellent quality this year. Although there has been some crop variability due to differences in moisture levels between the western and eastern parts of the island, the UPGC report reveals that overall the conditions for harvesting have been excellent. The UPGC specialists predict that production will be about 5% above the five-year average, but 5-10% lower than last year given the decrease in planted acreage for PEI of just over 2,000 hectares.

The New Brunswick harvest is coming to a close, with yields reported as being lower than last year’s but still a respectable crop overall. The majority of the time, harvesting conditions have been favorable and free of extreme cold. It is unlikely that we will see a movement of potatoes west like we did last year because there is not the bumper crop of last year and there have been some low gravity issues reported forecasting processors to increase the quantity required.

“Similar to PEI, production is estimated to be lower than last year but still close to an 8% increase in production over the five-year average,” the report shows.

‘Overall growers seem happy with the crop’

With some recent delays brought on by extremely chilly morning and evening temperatures, the fresh potato harvest in Quebec is coming to an end. Overall, growers seem pleased with the crop and are reporting good quality, especially after such a cold and wet spring for planting. However, growers are only seeing average yields and a slightly smaller size profile. Since Labor Day, Quebec has experienced strong fresh food demand, and prices are holding steady. Estimated production is significantly higher than the five-year average but slightly lower than last year’s total.

Most potatoes in Ontario are now under storage and the crop is looking good overall.

“There were differences reported regionally in yields, with some disappointed and others with average to even above average, which perhaps may be attributed to a very dry growing season for the province and not all farms with irrigation. High temperatures through August and into September did finally break for harvesting and growers should not be faced with some of the issues encountered last year with warm potatoes going into storage,” the report reveals.

The experts predict that Ontario’s potato production will be down just over 9% from last year due to lower acreage and conflicting reports on yields, but still on par with the five-year average because of a large harvest in 2021.

Quality of the Spud Crop is ‘Good’

The majority of the harvest in Manitoba is now finished, and the news is good. The harvesting conditions were excellent, and the majority of the potatoes are now in storage. This crop’s quality is good, as it is in most provinces, and yields are described as average to a few percentage points above average, which is a welcome development after the previous two years’ poor crop quality.

“Shipping should begin in earnest in the next 7-10 days and many are gearing up for demand expected for American Thanksgiving in November. We expect production for the province to be up this year around 6%, in line with the increase in planted acres and despite the cold wet spring that delayed planting up to 3 weeks in some areas,” UPGC experts added.

The harvest in Saskatchewan is now complete for the most part with the weather cooperating very well for the growers. Quality has been reported as excellent with the province experiencing good growing conditions all season.

The Alberta tater harvest for most growers has been completed for over a week now, with favorable weather conditions overall while getting the crop out of the ground. A hail storm back in July as well as high temperatures through August have resulted in early reports of disappointing yields in the province.

“Quality is very good but size profile is variable, many reporting smaller than average. The resulting supply may be short of what the processors need and would like to see for the upcoming months. Despite these reports, with the increase in planted acreage this season, and the quantity of potatoes harvested, we still do estimate production in Alberta to be up possibly 5% overall compared to last year,” the UPGC document reveals.

Last but not least, the British Columbia growers’ spud harvest will be finished this week. When combined with the high temperatures throughout August and into early September, the province’s almost complete lack of rainfall over the previous three months was concerning for many growers. However, the temperatures have gradually dropped since mid-September, and the conditions for harvesting have been excellent.

“Due to several factors, including an extremely late planting, high temperatures, and little to no precipitation through August, yields are reported as lighter this year with a smaller size profile overall. However, reports are that the province will get the whole crop off so the number of potatoes going into storage should be better than originally expected early in the season. With this harvest report combined with planted acreage down from last year, we estimate production for BC to be down around 8% over 2021 numbers,” the UPGC experts conclude.