Canada: Potato Crop Forecast at Record 130.6 Million Cwt Despite Wet Prairies
A market report forecasts a record Canadian potato crop of 130.6 million cwt in 2026, up 3.7%, driven by a record yield of 336 cwt per acre.
Canada may harvest its largest potato crop on record in 2026. A new estimate puts the crop at 130.6 million hundredweight (cwt). That is 4.7 million cwt, or 3.7%, more than in 2025. The forecast comes from North American Potato Market News, in a report for the Michigan Potato Industry Commission. Spudman published it on 23 September 2026.
The increase comes from yields, not area. The report expects an average yield of 336 cwt per acre. In 2025 the yield was 320 cwt per acre. The previous record was 332 cwt per acre in 2023.
Mixed weather across the country
Late-summer conditions varied by region. New Brunswick, Quebec and Ontario had enough rain for good crop development. Prince Edward Island and the Prairie Provinces had too much rain. In mid-September, wet weather stopped harvest in Alberta for a time. According to the report, harvest has since resumed across the country.
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A higher number than earlier estimates
The new figure is above earlier industry estimates. At the end of August, United Potato Growers of Canada gave a first estimate of 125 to 126 million cwt. General manager Victoria Stamper told Spud Smart that processing production had increased while fresh area had fallen. She also warned that heavy rain in Alberta and Manitoba could cause storage problems later.
Growers also face high costs. Stamper called 2026 the most expensive crop growers have ever planted, with fuel, fertilizer and equipment all costly.
Why it matters
A record Canadian crop would add supply to North American markets, especially for processing. The United States planted less area in 2026, and Europe lost part of its crop to heat and drought. This could open export opportunities for Canadian potatoes and fries. However, the final size is still uncertain. Wet fields in the Prairies may reduce the harvested volume and affect storage quality.
Photo: Potato harvest near Rolling Hills, Alberta (illustrative). StevejLeBlanc / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
