With rain and snow having fallen in parts of North America it has delayed early spring potato planting for many growers, the April 14 issue of the North American Potato Market News (NAPM) says.
In the Columbia Basin, fields received several inches of snow this week. NAPM notes the last time this region received snow at this time of year was in 1935. Approximately half of the crop has been planted so far.
“Some early varieties have already sprouted. The cold weather is likely to slow crop development and could delay the harvest of the much-anticipated 2022 crop,” the report says.
Throughout the rest of North America, planting is underway in several regions, but NAPM notes the weather hasn’t been favourable as of late. Cold temperatures slowed planting in western Idaho, while the eastern part of state received several inches of snow.
In Canada, growers in British Columbia, Ontario, and Alberta have started planting. Rain has delayed early planting in southwest Michigan.
Processing Contracts
Frozen processing contracts have been settled with one processor in Manitoba, the report says. Growers received around a 20 per cent price increase this year.
Idaho growers and processors have finished discussions with similar price increases having happened. Negotiations are ongoing in several other areas, the report notes.
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