The 2024 growing season has been a challenge in the province of Ontario.
For much of the summer, producers across the province received adequate rainfall to produce an exceptional crop. Although the wet weather brought its own set of challenges along with it, all reports indicate a better than normal yielding crop with good quality. We will see some acreage losses in low lying areas from excessive rainfall.
As a result of the wet season, we saw late blight pressure in isolated areas across the province. Growers did an excellent job controlling trouble areas and minimizing damage. As the storage harvest begins, we know growers will do an excellent job of leaving any questionable potatoes in the field.
At the time of writing this, harvest of the 2024 Ontario summer potato crop is winding down. Movement has been steady with pricing holding relatively strong. Harvest began on the fresh potato crop in mid-July with harvest of the storage crop beginning mid- September into October.
We are confident the majority of acres will be harvested by the second week of October. Field run product for the process market has been of excellent quality and high yield with brisk movement. Harvest of the storage crop for our process customers is in full swing.
The annual general meeting of the Ontario Potato Board is scheduled to take place Dec. 4, 2024. We invite anyone interested in attending to please do so. Direct any questions regarding the AGM to the Board Office at [email protected] or call (519)-846-5553.
Submitted by Kevin Brubacher, General Manager, Ontario Potato Board
