U.S. demand for Canadian table potatoes may decline due to a large U.S. potato crop and low prices, according to a market report from the Michigan Potato Industry Commission (MPIC).
"North American Potato Market News (NAPMN) expects Canadian growers to produce 122.2 million cwt of potatoes in 2025. That is 6.0 million cwt, or 4.7%, less than the country produced during 2024," the report stated.
For chip potatoes, supplies and demand appear balanced, with limited open-market activity. Michigan growers have begun storing chip potatoes. Early yields in Michigan are reported as average, though solids are below average.
MPIC reported that Michigan experienced around 10 days of cool weather early in the month, favorable for harvesting, followed by warmer temperatures. "Crops could use some rain to improve harvest conditions and prevent pressure bruise problems in storage," MPIC noted, adding that forecasts show mid-80s Fahrenheit temperatures with partly sunny skies for the next five days.
Growing conditions across Canada have been mixed. Prince Edward Island (PEI) and parts of New Brunswick, Quebec, and Ontario did not receive sufficient rain to finish the crop. By contrast, the Prairie Provinces and British Columbia had mostly favorable conditions. Ontario and Quebec chip potato supplies are expected to be lower.
"Though NAPMN does not have the exact split between potatoes for each sector, total combined production in those provinces could be down 4.7%. Supplies could also be tight in PEI and New Brunswick," according to MPIC.
Table potato supplies in Canada are forecast to be lower this year. Combined production for the four major table potato-producing provinces could fall 8.9% or more. Production in the Prairie Provinces and British Columbia may increase.
In the U.S., packers shipped 1.594 million cwt (72,300 metric tons) of table potatoes during the week ending September 13, compared with 1.875 million cwt (85,000 metric tons) a year earlier. Michigan packers shipped 33,763 cwt (1,530 metric tons) during the same week, down from 45,247 cwt (2,050 metric tons) shipped a year earlier.
Source: Michigan Farm News