Northwest Potato Stocks Surge, Processors Increase Usage

Idaho, Oregon, and Washington Report Strong Potato Utilization and Storage Levels

As of June 1, 2024, potato stocks in the Northwest region of the United States demonstrated robust figures, reflecting a significant increase in storage compared to the previous year. Idaho reported 32.0 million hundredweight (cwt) in storage, while Oregon and Washington held 4.10 million cwt and 14.0 million cwt, respectively. Nationally, major potato-producing states collectively stored 66.8 million cwt on June 1, marking a 19% rise from the previous year.

The national potato stocks represented 15% of the 2023 production, up from 14% in the preceding year. Total disappearance of potatoes up to June 1, 2024, stood at 374 million cwt, marking an 8% increase from the same period in 2023.

Processors in Idaho utilized 68.4 million cwt of potatoes during the season, while Oregon and Washington processed 32.7 million cwt and 56.0 million cwt, respectively. Notably, processors in the eight major potato-producing states used a total of 195 million cwt for the season, indicating a 4% increase from the previous year.

These figures underscore a robust start to the potato season in the Northwest, with increased storage capacities and higher utilization rates by processors contributing to the overall strength of the market.