BusinessMarkets & PricingFrench Fry Stocks Down 7.2 Per cent From 2020

French Fry Stocks Down 7.2 Per cent From 2020

-

North American stocks of french fries and other frozen potato products are down 7.2 per cent from 2020 as of Sept. 30, the Oct. 28 issue of the North American Potato Market News (NAPM) says.

The report notes freezer stocks increased by 1.2 million lbs during September, however the five-year average for September is 36.3 million lbs.

“This year’s minimal buildup during harvest highlights the raw product supply and labour challenges facing the frozen product sector,” the report says.

NAPM says the Sept. 30 freezer stocks equal a 30.3 day inventory based on current data about usage rates — this is the lowest on record for this time of year. If October buildup and November/December usage is average, it would leave the industry with a 28.5 day inventory. The report notes this would be the lowest year-end supply, relative to usage, on record.

Processing Supply Issues

Processors in North America are facing major raw product supply issues for the remainder of the 2021/22 processing season, the report notes.

“If finished product demand remains strong fryers will need to find large volumes of open raw potatoes to keep their customers supplied until the 2022 harvest gets underway.”

There is limited raw product supplies and reduced finished product recovery rates in key processing states which has exacerbated the problem, NAPM says. Logistical issues are also making it difficult and costly to transport excess potatoes from the east to processing plants in the west.

Additionally in Idaho, growers shifted from growing Russet Burbank to Russet Norkotah potatoes which is limiting the supply of open market potatoes. The report notes table potato growers in Idaho have switched from Burbanks to Norkotahs over the last 30 years.

“The supply of open Russet Burbank potatoes available to the processing market has essentially been cut in half by this shift. As a result, fryers have been sampling and purchasing Russet Norkotah potatoes in an attempt to fill this year’s raw product supply gap.”

Related Articles

Canadian Potato Farmers Wrap Up Harvest with Excellent Conditions

U.S. Potato Crop Forecast Down 2.6 Per cent

Global French Fry Trade Above Pre-Pandemic Levels

Trending This Week

To Get Healthy Potato Plants, We Have to Feed the Soil

Soil is not inert. Given the proper conditions, it is a vibrant ecosystem – full of life. In nature, soil is kept healthy by the...

It Takes Both Faith and Science to Grow a Potato

0
A colleague and I were talking recently, and she mentioned how much hope and faith goes into potato farming. Faith can have different definitions,...

How to Spatially Arrange Spuds to Maximize Their Growth Potential

0
In our spring production webinar, Dr. Mark Pavek explained how much of a difference in-row spacing, between row spacing, and row direction can make...
Rows of planted potato hills

2023’s Huge Crop Influencing Planting Plans for 2024

0
Last fall’s record processing crop across the Pacific Northwest is shaping current stores, export opportunities, product movement and planting plans for the year ahead. Though...

The Unintended Limits of Organic Farming

0
I had a conversation some weeks ago that has really stuck with me. The conversation was with Joy Youwakim, an agroecology scientist at Biome...