The potato harvest is underway in Canada and yields could be decent in 2022, but some in the industry are concerned about a shortfall of potatoes in Canada and the U.S.
As Robert Arnason reports for The Western Producer, remaining stocks from last year’s crop are minimal, at best, and yields this fall could be average or below average in multiple states and provinces.
“Overall, I think everybody is predicting a tight market,” said Victoria Stamper, general manager of the United Potato Growers of Canada.
Potato acreage in Canada is estimated at 385,000, almost identical to acres from 2021. Alberta saw a 5.6 percent increase in acres, jumping to 72,300, but acres on Prince Edward Island declined by 6.4 percent.
In the U.S., total acreage dropped to 910,000 – down 3.5 percent from the previous year. Idaho, which dominates potato production in America, saw acres sink by 7.9 percent. In the past, additional production in Idaho has been shipped to french fry plants in Manitoba and other parts of North America to cover shortfalls. That may not happen in 2022.
Source: The Western Producer. Read the full story here
