Potato planting is officially wrapped up on P.E.I. This year was one of the earliest I can remember seeing tractors scratching ground from one end of the Island to the other.
With little snow to melt, and little rain to delay the season, growers were able to get out and stay out, finishing almost two weeks early compared to other years. We have good emergence with healthy looking plants from tip to tip. We are hopeful for good rains throughout the growing season to help the crop.
Despite excellent post-harvest testing rates from the 2023 crop, we were tight for seed in P.E.I. this year. Growers received what was needed and we are on target to meet or slightly exceed last year’s number of total planted acres. Demand for Island grown seed was high and price was again very strong, with many varieties seeing increases over last year. Seed growers are essential to our industry and the support shown to them this year has been great.
After the realization of significant oversupply in the United States (mostly Idaho) from the 2023 crop, fresh markets were slower and there were decreased price implications for most varieties compared to last year. Despite this, P.E.I. moved a significant number of potatoes and our remaining storages are at a three year low. Our processing committee and the growers it represents worked hard to come to a new contract agreement with our main buyer prior to planters being filled this year.
We know we are leaders when it comes to growing the best, high quality potatoes and in practicing effective farm practices in preventing disease spread. This is evident in our 92 per cent pass rate for our mandatory post-harvest testing. Our growers are exceeding expectations and PEI is an industry leader when it comes to bio-security practices.
In closing, I want to highlight the work the PEI Potato Board did in celebrating the first ever International Day of Potato. Recognition of our growers and raising awareness of the nutritional and affordable value potatoes offer during these trying economic times was certainly a great boost for the industry worldwide.
I hope everyone enjoys their summer and that just the right amount of rain will fall!
By John Visser, chair of the Prince Edward Island Potato Board
