The fresh potato market significantly contributed to the 3.1 per cent rise in agricultural crop receipts in Canada, totaling $55.4 billion in 2023.
Fresh potatoes accounted for 13.7 per cent of the gain, second only to wheat at 58 per cent, according to a recent press release.
Cash receipts for fresh potatoes increased by 13.2 per cent from 2022, climbing to $2.0 billion. This growth was driven by a 13.3 per cent rise in prices, resulting from favourable contract settlements between producers and processors. Despite a slight 0.1 per cent decline in marketings, the price increases underscore the crucial role of potatoes in supporting farmers’ incomes.
Farmers in Western Canada faced drier conditions early in 2023, leading to a smaller harvest, highlighting the importance of crop diversity, with potatoes providing a stable income source amid fluctuating yields.
Excluding cannabis, crop receipts overall rose by 3.5 per cent to $52.8 billion. The strong performance of fresh potatoes underscores their importance in Canadian agriculture as producers adapt to market demands and maintain vital partnerships with processors.
