Strong demand and higher pricing characterized the potato market in early November, and tight market conditions are expected to continue through the holidays, as Tom Karst reports for The Packer magazine.
He writes that Thanksgiving demand in early November was adding upward pressure to the market, according to the Markon Fresh Crop Report for the week of Nov. 6. The expectation is that active prices for russet potatoes will continue for several weeks, the report said.
Lower acreage for fresh market potatoes in Idaho this year, combined with active demand from frozen potato processors, have contributed to higher pricing for this year’s crop, industry observers say.
Elevated pricing at both the farm level and at retail are expected in a short crop year, said Craig Carlson, president of Chicago-based Carlson Produce Consulting. Retail advertised prices for potatoes have jumped substantially in the past year, according to USDA statistics.
A source: https://www.potatonewstoday.com