The Canadian Potato Production for 2021 has been estimated by Statistics Canada to reach 6,891,024 tons, showing a YOY (Year-On-Year) decline of 18.2% or 1,063,440 tons of spuds.
On the other hand, yields climbed to 18.04 tons/acre, making it the highest yield on record, according to a press release from The United Potato Growers from Canada (UPGC). Seasonal growing conditions were excellent in the four Eastern provinces but very hot and dry for the potato crop in Western Canada.
Prince Edward Island (PEI): “An excellent growing season”
Based on the UPGC’s report, Stats Canada estimated a potato PEI production of 1,596,560 tons, up 35.8% from last year’s 1,176,000 tons (a crop that suffered from a severe drought). Yield per acre is estimated at 18.70 tons, making it the highest yield on record.
“An excellent growing season was responsible for a big portion of the increased production. PEI had the largest planted acreage in Canada with 86,000 acres reported this year and the province produced 23% of Canadian Production,” UPGC’s experts mentioned.
Tuber Potato Increase for Nova Scotia and New Brunswick
In Nova Scotia, production is estimated to be up 19% above 2020, at 18,704 tons. Estimated yields of 17.36 tons/acre are up substantially from last year’s 14 tons/acre. Planted acreage stayed the same as last year at 1,200 acres.
For New Brunswick, the tuber production had the largest percentage increase over last year, at 58.3%. Stats Canada estimates NB production at 1,019,200 tons compared to 644,000 tons in the drought a year ago.
“Excellent growing conditions provided yields of 19,6 tons/acre compared to last year’s 13,27 tone/acre. NB growers planted 53,000 acres in the spring, an increase over 2020, to meet the needs of their local processor, but similar to the two years previous. Unharvested acreage was 1,000a,” UPGC’s specialists wrote in their report.
More Potatoes for the Quebec and Ontario Growers
For Quebec, Statistics Canada estimates a production of 816,872 tons, an increase of 14.4% over 2020. It is also estimated that yields have risen from 16,01 tons/acre in 2020 to 17,19 tons/acre in 2021 thanks to a great growing season. Quebec growers increased their acreage in the spring by 2,385 acres to meet increased demand for both fresh and process.
“It is estimated 800 acres were not harvested due to wet weather at the end of digging,” experts added.
Stats Canada estimates Ontario’s production to be 501,368 tons or 19.1% above a year ago figures. The additional 78,400 tons is the result of an excellent growing season and increased acreage. Yields are reported at 13,44 tons/acre compared to 11,76 tons/acre one year ago.
“Harvest became difficult at the tail end and Stats Can estimates 1,022 acres were left in the field due to wet weather. Acreage in the spring had increased by 1,800 acres mostly for increased chip volume,” according to the report.
Manitoba’s Spud Production Almost Equal to Last Year’s
Manitoba’s production is estimated at 1,354,080 tons which is almost equal to last year’s 1,344,000 tons. Hot dry weather, unfortunately, lowered the yield to 17,36 tons/acre from last year’s 18,87 tons/acre and 19,37tons/acre from the previous year.
“Growers had increased their acreage in the spring by 7,000 acres to 78,000 acres, in hopes of fulfilling the needs of their new processing plant. Manitoba harvested 100% of their crop and represents 19.6% of Canada’s production this year,” Stats Canada’s experts added.
Saskatchewan’s Potato Growers Harvested all the Crop and Alberta Increased Its Production
Based on the same report, Saskatchewan’s potato production is estimated at 85,064 tons, 8.5% above last year. Yields moved up to 13,72 tons/acre from last year’s 13,04 tone/acre. Growers planted 6,200 acres in the spring and harvested all of their crop.
Stats Canada estimates Alberta increased its production by 5.2% or 67,592 tons in 2021 bringing production up to 1,378,384 tons. Alberta produced 20% of Canada’s production this year. Unfortunately, the growing season was a hot dry one, reducing yields to 20,32 tons/acre, one of the lowest for Alberta in recent years. Growers had increased their acreage in the spring by 8,700 acres to 68,450 acres to meet the increased needs of their processing expansion and also demand for their seed production. Stats Can estimates 650 acres were not harvested this year, some from spring drown outs.
British Columbia’s Potato Production Went Down
Stats Canada estimates production in British Columbia to be down 3.5% from 2020. Total production is expected to come in at 116,480 tons. Yields of 18,2 tons/acre were slightly below last year’s record-breaking 18,59 tons/acre. Harvest became difficult at the end due to heavy rains, however, Stats Canada estimates only 100 acres were not harvested out of the 6,500 acres planted.
