Volume Is Up and Prices Are Down For the 2023 U.S. Potato Crop
For the 2023 potato crop, volume is up and prices are down thus far. The USDA reports that the total area planted with potatoes in 2023 will be 390,116 hectares, an increase from the previous year’s 369,882 hectares.
The cultivated potato area in the U.S. in 2023 increased by 5% to 388,417 hectares. At 54.56 tons per hectare, the predicted harvest is 0.71 tons/ha higher than the production from the previous year.
Due to high yields, the U.S. potato supply will satisfy demand for the remainder of the 2023–2024 season, according to Markon’s latest market analysis from December 3. The company also forecasts stable prices. According to the report, growers estimate that 5.12% more hectares were planted in Idaho this year than they were the previous.
The U.S. is expected to produce 22.04m tons of potatoes in 2023, up 9% over the previous year, according to the USDA’s November crop output report.
On December 4, the USDA announced that Idaho count carton potato prices had significantly decreased from the previous year.
On December 4, the USDA announced that the price of size 50 Idaho russet Burbank potatoes was USD13–14 per carton (22.68 kg), which is less than USD20 per carton when compared to USD35–USD37 per carton at the same time last year.
The USDA reported that the price of size 60 Idaho russet Burbank potatoes was between USD12 and USD14 per carton on December 4, down from USD30 to USD34 per carton at the same time last year.
The USDA said 70-count Idaho russet Burbank potatoes were trading at USD12 to USD13.50 per carton on Dec. 4, down from USD30 to USD34 per carton last year at the same time.
Eighty-count Idaho russet Burbank potatoes were priced at USD10 to USD12.50 per carton on Dec. 4, down from USD29 to USD32 per carton a year ago.
The USDA said 90-count Idaho russet burbanks variety potatoes were trading at USD9 to USD10 per carton, about half of the 2022 price at the same time of USD22 to USD26 per carton.
Finally, the USDA reported prices for size 100 russet Burbank potatoes at USD7 to USD8 per carton, down from USD18 to USD21 per carton at the same time a year ago.
Truck shipments of Idaho potatoes were running well above last season through Nov. 25. For the week of Nov. 19-25, Idaho truck shipments totaled 1,219 loads of 22.67 tons per load (27,634 tons), up 26% from the same week a year ago.
Total Idaho truck shipments so far this season through Nov. 25 totaled 17,968 loads of 22.67 tons per load (407,334 tons), up 14% from the same time last year.
In the Red River Valley, the USDA reported prices for 22.68 kg cartons of size B round red potatoes were USD19 to USD21 per carton on Dec. 4, down slightly from USD20.50 to USD21.50 per carton at the same time last year.
Total season-to-date shipments of Minnesota potatoes were up 11% through Dec. 29, while shipments of North Dakota potatoes were up 10%, according to the USDA.
The USDA reported prices for 50-pound cartons of Red River Valley creamer yellow potatoes were USD30 to USD32 per carton on Dec. 4.
